Cleanup underway at Brick Township shopping plaza damaged by fire
Caution tape lined the parking lot at the shopping plaza on Herbertsville Road.
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Cleanup efforts got underway Sunday a day after a fire that destroyed a Brick Township shopping plaza.
Caution tape lined the parking lot at the shopping plaza on Herbertsville Road. Most of the debris had been cleaned up and boards replaced windows at Cuzzin's Pizzeria and Restaurant and Jay's Food Mart.
Officials say it was Saturday just before 5 p.m. when the fire broke out.
Officials say the fire is believed to have started on the roof and spread quickly, which made it difficult to put out.
The pizzeria and food market were occupied and operational during the time of the fire but all the occupants made it out safely.
The other business in the shopping plaza, a dry cleaning business, was vacant.
Officials say two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
Owner of Cuzzin's Pizzeria and Restaurant Alfredo Martinez said he was inside when the fire started.
"My mind was blocked. I mean, nothing to think about in that moment. The only thing I thought was get everybody out of the building and plus, I went next door to get the owner from the other building because he doesn't know what was going on," Martinez recalled.
He added that he plans to rebuild his business, but is not sure how quickly he will be able to.
Officials say the building is structurally compromised and will likely have to be torn down.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known as of Sunday evening. A fundraiser was started on GoFundMe.
