A 7-alarm fire fire has burned at least 5 unoccupied homes in Sea Isle City.

 

Aerial view of Sea Isle City fire
Aerial view of Sea Isle City fire (CBS Philadelphia)
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Other homes were threatened at the homes on 78th Street at Pleasure Avenue along the beach in Cape May County according to 6 ABC. which reports the fires broke out around 4:30 p.m. and was fed by gusty winds of 15-20 MPH. It was declared under control by 6 p.m.

Sea Isle City mayor Leonard Desiderio tells NBC 10 the homes were side-by-side townhouses, each about 2,000 square feet. "It’s a barn burner. The winds are making is very difficult, extremely difficult, Desiderio told the Press of Atlantic City, adding that no one was injured as a result of the fire.

About 100 people were on the beach watching the fire burn and fire crews work to gain control of the blaze..

Witnesses tell NBC 10 thick black smoke from the fire has filled the sky. The smoke can be seen for miles according other witnesses have tweeted.Smoke from the fire may be noticeable in Cumberland County and in other nearby areas.

Fire burns in Sea Isle City
Fire burns in Sea Isle City (@BOOBARNES_KCCO (Ron Barnes) via Twitter)
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A number of fire companies responded to the blaze but because the bridge from Avalon is closed crews are having to travel down Route 9 or the Parkway to reach the fire scene.

An investigation is underway as to what caused the fire.

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Video courtesy Matt Ulmer

Joe Mitchell, Chris Coleman and rhe Associated Press contributed to this report

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