Firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire that destroyed two strip mall businesses in Brick Township Saturday night.
Officials say the fire on Herbertsville Road started just before 5 p.m.
Cuzzin’s Pizza and Restaurant and Jays Food Mart were occupied at the time of the fire. A dry cleaning business, however, was vacant during the incident.
All occupants made it out safely.
One of two firefighters who suffered minor injuries was taken to the hospital, according to officials.
The owner of Cuzzin’s Pizzeria and Restaurant told News 12 he was inside when the fire started and helped get everyone out to safety.
Officials said there were several challenges for crews to contain the fire.
“The type of construction this is, the fire did spread quickly around the building due to the softened locations and things of that nature. There was a little bit of wind driven today, not much, but enough to move the fire across that roof line “said Laurelton Fire Company Station 23 Chief Paul Mazzeo.
Herbertsville Road was closed as crews battled the fire but has since reopened.
Officials said the entire structure was severely damaged and will need to be torn down at some point.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire as of Saturday night.
