Yorktowne Commons Fire Quickly Extinguished In Brick

BRICK, NJ — Improperly installed electrical equipment caused a fire early Wednesday at the Yorktowne Commons shopping center, Brick Township fire officials said.

Brick Township authorities were alerted to the fire at 2850 Yorktowne Blvd. at 7:17 a.m. Wednesday, fire officials said.

Pioneer Fire Company firefighters, with Chief Vincent Pischettola in command, found smoke coming from the eaves and gutters of the building and a second alarm was transmitted, calling in assistance from the other Brick fire companies.

The fire was quickly brought under control, minimizing damage. All of the stores were allowed to reopen and there were no injuries reported, fire officials said.

Inspectors Joseph Sansone and Aubrey Borden from the Brick Fire Safety Bureau, along with Stu Safeer, Brick Township electrical subcode official, investigated the fire and determined the cause was energized electrical equipment on the exterior wall of the complex that had been installed improperly, officials said.

"The Brick Township Fire Service would like to thank all of our mutual aid partners for their assistance on location and standing by for coverage assignments," Chief Kevin Batzel and Assistant Chief Richard Orlando said.