Demolition works spark New Jersey fire…

Former hotel engulfed in flames.

Demolition work sparked a large fire yesterday at a Jersey shore hotel.

The blaze broke out at 10:30 a.m. at the vacant Bellevue Hotel at 8th Street and Ocean Avenue in Ocean City.

Crews were using blow torches to remove metal fire escapes from the shuttered hotel when debris from the ongoing demolition caught fire.

The blaze went to three alarms and burned for about six hours before firefighters were able to contain it late Friday afternoon.

Police ordered the evacuation of nearby businesses as the fire blanketed blocks of Ocean City’s downtown area with heavy smoke.

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