Ocean Grove Fire - Fire has destroyed a three-storey building in New Jersey's historic Ocean Grove, about 10 stores in the area have also been razed.
According to reports, the fire broke out around 3:30 p.m. Friday at 50 Main Avenue. Although no injuries have been reported, the blaze raged on for hours as firefighter tried to put it under control.
Lt. Michael McGhee, Neptune Township Police Department spokesman, said fire destroyed the building, causing the roof to collapse on the lower floors. The building housed seven apartments and four businesses.
The Ocean Grove fire also caused extensive damage to a nearby building on Heck Avenue. In total at least seven building were affected by the blaze.
"Ocean Grove is a tough, tight knit community. Everyone looks out for each other," McGhee said.
The fire was contained by 6:30 p.m. after hours of joint efforts by all seven Neptune Township and Ocean Grove's fire departments and other departments from 12 neighboring communities.
Reports indicate that the process of containing the fire, a firefighter sustained a minor knee injury after slipping and falling.
It's is not immediately clear how many of the building's occupants have been displaced by the fire and how many were present at the time the blaze started.
Neptune Township Mayor Mary Beth Jahn said public said public works crews were on the scene of the blaze to stop water from freezing.
The Salvation Army was also present to help displaced residents find shelter.
"There were some major fires a couple years ago. Back-to-back years. Multiple structures were leveled to the ground and they rebuilt. They know how to do it, and there's no doubt they'll do it again,' McGhee said.
Although the fire is reported to have started from the top floor of the building, at this point the cause of the blaze is unknown.
Officials have opened an investigation into the incident. The Neptune Township police detective bureau, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal would conduct the investigation into the Ocean Grove fire.
