Ocean County Pizzeria Destroyed By Fire

BRICK – A local pizzeria was engulfed in thick, heavy smoke after a fire started inside the building Saturday evening.

The blaze was reported around 5 p.m. at Cuzzin’s Pizzeria located at 358 Herbertsville Road. According to Brick Police, smoke and flames were seen coming from the roof.

Due to the heavy fire conditions, it took firefighters about two hours to control the fire. Overall, firefighters stayed on scene for about four hours, the Herbertsville Fire Company said in a statement.

Since the pizzeria is located in a shopping plaza, it was reported that the Jay’s Food Mart, next door to Cuzzin’s, also sustained significant damage.

The Herbertsville Fire Company thanked the following agencies who provided assistance during the fire: Laurelton Fire Company, Pioneer Hose Company, and Breton Woods Fire Company in Brick, Point Pleasant Fire Department, Point Pleasant Beach Fire Company, Ocean Fire Company No. 1 of Point Pleasant Beach, Ramtown Fire Company, Squankum Fire Company, and Southard Fire Department No. 1 of Howell, South Wall Fire Rescue, Silverton Volunteer Fire Company and Pleasant Plains Volunteer Fire Department of Toms River, Brick Township EMS, Point Boro EMS, Point Pleasant First Aid & Emergency Squad, Beachwood Emergency Medical Services, Jackson Township EMS, the Brick Township Police Department, Lakewood Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.

The fire is currently under investigation by the Brick Township Fire Bureau.

The owners of Cuzzin’s Pizzeria have been forced to close down as a result. The devastating news had led the community to rally and a GoFundMe was created to help the business. The owners of Papa V’s Pizzeria, who is a local friend and right down the road from Cuzzin’s, created the fundraiser to help a fellow business owner.

“We could only imagine the pain and heartache that Alfredo, the owner of Cuzzin’s Pizza, is going through along with his staff. Their livelihood was taken from them by a freak accident,” Anthony Carannante, owner of Papa V’s Pizzeria, wrote.

The GoFundMe has been live for about 24 hours and has already received nearly $5,000 in donations. Their goal is to hit $10,000.

You can visit the GoFundMe page at: gofundme.com/f/help-cuzzins-pizza-staff-recover.