North Wildwood Fire

Wildwood landmark now rubble
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Published: Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Updated: Tuesday, December 13, 2005WILDWOOD-Investigators say the fire that swept through the Shore Plaza Motel was accidental, Wildwood Fire Capt. Chris D'Amico said Monday.D'Amico said the massive fire started in a ceiling-based heating unit in a third floor room of the 70-unit motel.The fire, first reported about 2:30 p.m. Friday, raged for hours and was brought under control by midnight.Hot spots continued to burn, however, and an excavator from Countywide Demolition was used to reach the areas that continued to burn, D'Amico said. Firefighters were on scene until about 6 p.m. Saturday, he said.The fire traveled to the fourth floor and eventually to the front of the motel, which was home to several businesses including the Sam's Pizza Palace. On Monday, demolition crews were beginning to clear away the charred remains of what was a longtime fixture on the Boardwalk.Curious passersby stopped to watch while Pietro Cuffaro, who worked at Sam's, contemplated what was lost."I lost everything - my job, and all my belongings. I went to Atlantic City Friday night. When I came back, everything was gone. Even my passport is somewhere under that rubble," Cuffaro told a Press photographer. The motel property, most recently assessed at $6.7 million, was built in 1960 and belonged to Salvatore Spera and his family since 1979.Rosemary Zuccarello, Spera's daughter, said Monday that the family was doing all right, but still dealing with the shock of losing the family business.While it will take some time, rebuilding is in the family's plans, she said. "Sam's is definitely coming back."Zuccarello said the family had received plenty of support from fans of the motel and Sam's."They came here for years, and they want us to come back. We want to come back," she said.While the family awaits word from its insurers, passersby stopped Monday afternoon to see what was left.The neon "motel" sign still points to the building, and another sign still boasts of the motel's rooftop pool.Lamps, chairs and other motel furnishings apparently untouched by the flames can be seen from the street on the second floor.Nearby, a brightly painted blue motel room door, now covered in soot, sat among the twisted metal and debris.D'Amico said about 250 firefighters from around the county battled the blaze, and five suffered minor injuries such as smoke inhalation. They were treated and released, he said.

To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:TGilfillian@pressofac.com