Workers Seen Leaving Roof Of Brick Pizzeria That Caught Fire: Official

BRICK, NJ — Two firefighters were injured Saturday while fighting the three-alarm fire that destroyed Cuzzin's Pizzeria and Jay's Food Mart on Herbertsville Road, Brick Township fire officials said Monday.

The fire at 358 Herbertsville Road remains under investigation by inspectors Joseph Sansone and Paul Matula of the Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety, Assistant Bureau Chief Richard Orlando said.

Brick police officers who responded to the 4:52 p.m. emergency call noticed workers leaving the roof as they arrived, Orlando said, and witnesses told authorities contractors had been actively working on the roof.

Orlando said the Brick Township Fire Officer Chief Paul Mazzeo reported heavy fire from the roof. With the assistance of mutual aid the fire was brought under control about 6:25 p.m., he said. Firefighters remained in place until after 8 p.m. and the Herbertsville Fire Company was called back to the site at 1:49 a.m. Sunday when smoldering debris at the back of the building reignited.

The two Brick Township firefighters suffered minor injuries, he said. One was treated and released from Ocean University Medical Center in Brick, and the other was treated and released at the scene, Orlando said.

The fire caused major damage and the building was posted as unsafe by the Brick Township Construction Department. Brick Township police secured the scene until the building could be secured, he said.

A neighboring pizzeria owner started a GoFundMe campaign to help the owner and staff of Cuzzin's pay bills. Read more: Roof Fire Destroys Brick Pizzeria; Neighboring Pizzeria Rallies Help

"The 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," Orlando said. "Also, 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."