Fire devastated the recently-rebuilt Jersey Shore boardwalk Thursday afternoon in Seaside Park, New Jersey, just as residents and businesses were recovering from the disaster wrought by Superstorm Sandy last year.

News 92 FM reports that the fire started at the Kohr's frozen custard stand, which is situated at the rebuilt boardwalk. As the fire grew, 400 fire fighters struggled to put out the blaze, which was stoked by strong winds. The fire, propelled by 'forceful gusts of up to 40 mph' spread from Seaside Park to Seaside Heights, according to NBC News.

The five-alarm fire serves as a shattering incident for New Jersey residents and officials, especially when two beach communities destroyed by Superstorm Sandy were reopened only four months ago. Disheartened and dismayed, business owners are skeptical about the future of the Jersey Shore boardwalk. Kupper's French Fries owner Tim Hussey for instance, observes that, "We've been through a storm and now a fire; Is this some type of message?"  he told NBC News.

Gov. Chris Christie immediately rushed to the scene. In a statement to the press, he said that "This is obviously an unthinkable situation for us to be standing here and watching this; I feel like I want to throw up," according to NBC News.

Meanwhile, Seaside Park Councilwoman Nancy Koury echoed the sentiment of the Governor, telling the Associated Press, "I can't believe this is happening; Our small business-people went through so much in the storm to get ready for summer and stay open all summer, and now it's all gone. I just can't believe it," according to NBC News.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, as authorities are still focused on putting out the blaze for good Thursday evening. Thankfully, no casualties were reported, and some injured fire fighters have gotten immediate treatment for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.  

Gov. Christie urged New Jersey residents to stay away from the area. (Watch the video here). Showing a stroke of optimism, Christie later said, "As soon as this is over, we'll pick ourselves up, we'll dust ourselves off and we'll get back to work," he told NBC News.