Brick Township emergency authorities respond to fire at Lincoln Court plaza

UPDATED: 4/29  at 3:00 P.M.

BRICK TOWNSHIP — A fire broke out at 358 Herbertsville Road in the Lincoln Court Plaza, home to Cuzzin’s Pizza, Jay’s Food Market and Jerry’s Dry Cleaner,  at 4:52 p.m. on April 27, according to the Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety.

According to the bureau, Brick Township police noticed workers exiting the roof. Other witness statements also noted that contractors were working on the roof.

First arriving Brick Township Fire Officer Chief Paul Mazzeo reported heavy fire from the roof of the structure and immediately requested a second alarm.

In a press release issued on April 29, Bureau Chief Kevin C. Batzel said, “As fire suppression activities commenced, a third alarm was then requested bringing our mutual aid partners to the scene.”

At approximately 6:25 p.m., the fire was brought under control.

Unfortunately, major damage was caused to the building and the building was deemed unsafe by the Brick Township Police Department until the area could be made secure.

“Minor injuries were reported to two Brick Township firefighters. One was treated and released from Ocean Medical Center. The other was treated and released at the scene,” said Chief Batzel in a press release.

Brick Township Fire Department Station 24 was called back to the scene at approximately 1:49 a.m. on April 28 for smoldering debris that restarted in the rear of the structure.

“Brick Township Fire Department would like to thank all of our mutual aid partners for their assistance both at the scene and standing by at our fire stations to protect the town while we were engaged in the fire,” said Chief Batzel.

Chief Batzel and Assistant Bureau Chief Richard J. Orlando also sent a special thank you to Brick Township Police Officers David Vannote, Ryan Wynn and Lakewood Police Officer Alexander Lopez for their valuable assistance to the investigation.

The fire is continuing to be under investigation by Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety Inspector Joseph Sansone and Inspector Paul Matula.

GOFUNDME

A GoFundMe page called, “Help Cuzzins Pizza Staff Recover” was started by Anthony Carannante for Cuzzin’s Pizzeria & Restaurant located in the Lincoln Court Plaza. As of Monday, April 29, the GoFundMe page has raised $5,272 of its $10,000 goal.

Carannante and his sister Lisa Hamilton own Papa V’s Pizzeria and on GoFundMe said, “a local friend of ours lost their pizzeria to a fire.”

“Their livelihood was taken from them by a freak accident,” said Carannante.

Carannate said that they could only imagine the pain and heartache that the owner of Cuzzin’s Pizza and its staff are going through.

Carannate on the GoFundMe page said, “As a community, I know we can surpass any goal we have set forth.”

Mark R. Sullivan and Kieran Sullivan contributed to this report.

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