Fire Under Atlantic City Pier Claims Life of Homeless Man
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — A man died in a fire that broke out under the Central Pier in Atlantic City near a homeless encampment, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. The victim, identified as 67-year-old Bruce Eder, was believed to be homeless and sleeping at the time the fire started on Thursday evening.
Fire Chief Scott Evans commented on the tragedy, noting the frequent interactions with homeless encampments under the pier and boardwalk. The fire, which began near Eder’s location, was not deemed criminal by the authorities, despite being intentionally set as a small campfire.
The blaze caused considerable damage, affecting the pier’s structure and several businesses located above, including a large storage building, the rear section of a 99-cent store, and about 10% of an arcade. An autopsy is scheduled to determine Eder’s exact cause of death.