Fire destroys Clinton Walgreens, food pantry and thrift shop

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Chris Keating

Feb 26, 2024, 10:44 AM

Updated 71 days ago

Share:

Authorities are still trying to determine a cause for a fire in Clinton that destroyed a Walgreens, along with a thrift store and food pantry. The shopping plaza sits along Route 22 in Clinton.
That fire started at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Witnesses have told News 12 that within 45 minutes the entire structure was destroyed.
The Walgreens, along with the Open Cupboard Food Pantry and the thrift shop, burned in the fire.
The pantry will not take physical donations going forward. Washington Basket, a pantry located in Washington Township, will be accepting gift cards from ShopRite.
Thanks to a firewall, two adjoining businesses – Just Subs and JD’s Wine and Spirits – survived.
“The firewall between the thrift shop and Just Subs helped protect the other part of the building. I believe there was some water damage and smoke damage,” says Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach.
An investigation into the cause and origin of the fire has started.
An employee of the Walgreens tells News 12 that approximately 20 employees of the drugstore are being relocated to other Walgreens locations for work.
Click HERE to find the Walgreens nearest you.


More from News 12
2:36
Panera to discontinue Charged Lemonade following multiple death lawsuits

Panera to discontinue Charged Lemonade following multiple death lawsuits

2:34
STORM WATCH: Early morning storms expected to impact Wednesday commute

STORM WATCH: Early morning storms expected to impact Wednesday commute

1:50
Tractor-trailer carrying logs overturns near Little Falls day care playground; no injuries reported

Tractor-trailer carrying logs overturns near Little Falls day care playground; no injuries reported

Authorities: No indication of plane crash in Barnegat despite receiving distress signal

Authorities: No indication of plane crash in Barnegat despite receiving distress signal

0:39
State Republicans call for legislative hearings into how Rutgers handled pro-Palestinian protest

State Republicans call for legislative hearings into how Rutgers handled pro-Palestinian protest

0:26
Quintuplets graduate from Montclair State University

Quintuplets graduate from Montclair State University

0:42
Jersey Proud: Eagle Scout builds bocce courts at Middlesex church

Jersey Proud: Eagle Scout builds bocce courts at Middlesex church

1:39
Officials: 1 person injured in fire that destroyed Watchung home

Officials: 1 person injured in fire that destroyed Watchung home

Police arrest man accused in 15 burglaries in Lakewood and Toms River

Police arrest man accused in 15 burglaries in Lakewood and Toms River

2:06
Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum reopens to visitors following renovations

Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum reopens to visitors following renovations

0:24
Explore the Bubble Planet this summer at American Dream

Explore the Bubble Planet this summer at American Dream

2:03
Deadline to get a Real ID is in one year. Here's what you need to know

Deadline to get a Real ID is in one year. Here's what you need to know

2:23
Paterson public safety director derides layoff of sheriff officers, closure of Passaic County Jail

Paterson public safety director derides layoff of sheriff officers, closure of Passaic County Jail

0:28
TSA officers arrest Florida man for having loaded gun packed in carry-on bag at Newark airport

TSA officers arrest Florida man for having loaded gun packed in carry-on bag at Newark airport

0:35
Police: Elmwood Park man drove drunk, struck 8 vehicles; 3 injured

Police: Elmwood Park man drove drunk, struck 8 vehicles; 3 injured

0:25
Paterson man faces slew of charges in connection to armed kidnappings

Paterson man faces slew of charges in connection to armed kidnappings

2:03
Best of New Jersey: A taste of everything the Dunellen Hotel has to offer

Best of New Jersey: A taste of everything the Dunellen Hotel has to offer

0:29
Walmart reaches settlement in class action lawsuit

Walmart reaches settlement in class action lawsuit

0:33
Atlantic City man sentenced for drug induced deaths of tourists

Atlantic City man sentenced for drug induced deaths of tourists

0:26
Man killed in two-car Egg Harbor Township crash

Man killed in two-car Egg Harbor Township crash