A small fire at the Allenhurst Beach Club has led officials to request enforcement of an anti-smoking ordinance in the outside areas of the club.
A local ordinance prohibits smoking in government-owned buildings like the Allenhurst Beach Club, but the rules have not been enforced.
A small fire broke out around 9:30 p.m. in the crawlspace under Mr. C’s Beach Bistro, the beach club’s restaurant, said Fire Captain John Hansen. The fire is still under investigation, but damage was minimal.
After the incident, restaurant managers Karen Marzulli and Chico Perrotto agreed to display and enforce the city ordinance that forbids smoking in government-owned buildings.
Allenhurst Beach Club Manager Doug Caron said in an interview that he suspects someone smoking on the deck outside the restaurant accidentally caused the fire.
“An employee quickly put the fire out,” he said, “but it could have been a lot bigger.”
