(10:10 pm)

A total of 9 buildings were damaged or destroyed in a wind driven fire in the Neptune Township community of Ocean Grove. Township Police Lieutenant Mike McGhee said they responded to 9-1-1 calls for a structure fire at around 3:27 pm in the heart of the business district on 50 Main Avenue just two blocks from the Ocean. McGhee said a few residents and shopkeepers present, where evacuated from the building that housed seven apartments and four businesses.

"The fire completely destroyed the structure cause the roof to collapse on to the lower floors of the three story building," said McGhee.

One house at the rear of the businesses on Heck Avenue sustained heavy damage.  Seven other structures sustained less significant damage because of exposure to the fire's heat.

One firefighter was injured his leg in a slip-and-fall accident and all building occupants and residents have been accounted for.

Some of the Businesses affected are the Bella Vista Bed and Breakfast, Smuggler's Cove, Fusion Jewelry, Yvonne's Cafe.

According to the press release, "All seven Neptune Township and Ocean Grove Fire Departments responded to the scene and had the fire contained within a couple of hours. Fire departments from 12 shore area communities also responded and assisted with the blaze.

A joint investigation is being conducted by the Neptune Township Police Detective Bureau, Monmouth County Fire Marshall, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(5 pm)

Firefighters from several towns are working to put out a structure fire in Ocean Grove. Neptune Township officials confirm that the fire was reported in one of the shops at 50 Main Avenue late this afternoon a block away from the Ocean.

The fire is still burning and being fueled by the high winds.  No word yet of any injuries.

Witnesses say the roof of the building just collapsed. A resident said the fire appears to have started in the back of the building, closer to Heck Ave, and spread to the front on Main,  but police have closed off just about every access road, and there's definatly no way into or out Ocean Grove through Main Ave, Broadway also appears to be closed.

Police, Fire and EMS  from several towns are at the scene.  There's word officials are accessing water from the nearby lake.

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