A fire that has substantially damaged – the point of possible destruction – a shopping plaza made up of a pizzeria, convenience store and a vacant dry cleaning store was put out by firefighters just about 7 p.m., however the state of the building is devastating, witnesses told Shorebeat.
The fire was centered at the shopping plaza at 358 Herbertsville Road, where Cuzzins Pizza and Jay’s Food Market are located. The third store in the shopping center was, until recently, a dry cleaning store that has since closed. Brick fire officials said Herbertsville Road was closed between 19th and 22nd avenues. It has not been confirmed whether the fire spread to any nearby homes or businesses before it was knocked down by firefighters.
Employees of the pizzeria and convenience store were both safely outside, Shorebeat learned, however officials have not commented on whether any rescues had to be undertaken or if any firefighters were injured during the call.
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While not confirmed by authorities, a source told Shorebeat that work was being performed on the roof of the structure before the fire broke out in the area of the pizzeria. Shorebeat was waiting to confirm what sparked the blaze. Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions and neighboring towns all responded to the scene, and multiple ladder trucks were dousing the commercial building from above before they managed to get the blaze under control.
Shorebeat will update this story or publish a new one when more details are obtained from official sources.