By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – The owner of a popular diner in Freehold Township wants to rebuild his business after the restaurant was significantly damaged in a fire.
JB’s Diner, which sits on a lot where Route 537 (Monmouth Road) and Route 524 (Elton-Adelphia Road) intersect, caught fire at about 7 p.m. May 24 and brought firefighters from around the region to battle the blaze.
Diner owner Cooper Herrera said he was informed by fire officials that the blaze started in the kitchen and was accidental in nature.
The fire is believed to have started in the ceiling above the broiler in the kitchen, Monmouth County Deputy Fire Marshal Rick Hogan said. As of May 25, the exact cause of the fire was not known.
No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported. The diner was occupied by employees and customers when the fire started, but all present were safely evacuated from the business, which is known for its nostalgic 1950s look and atmosphere.
Hogan said firefighters from Freehold Township Independent Fire Company No. 1 responded to the scene under the direction of Fire Chief Wayne Prochnow.
Freehold Township Independent Fire Company was joined at the scene by the East Freehold Fire Company of Freehold Township; the Gordons Corner Fire Company of Manalapan; Manalapan Township Fire Company No. 1; the Millstone Township Fire Company; the Hope Fire Company of Allentown and Upper Freehold Township; and the Plainsboro Fire Company of Middlesex County.
The firefighters initially attempted to control the fire from the interior of the restaurant, but when the roof of the building began to collapse they evacuated the diner and began an attack on the exterior fire, according to Hogan. Within 40 minutes to an hour, the fire was under control.
Herrera, who has owned the diner for 10 years, said he intends to rebuild. He noted the business’s popularity and said he has received postcards from international visitors who stopped by for a bite to eat when their travels brought them to Freehold Township.
“I apologize to my regular customers,” Herrera said. “This was not my intention, but we intend to rebuild as soon as possible.”
Mayor Barbara McMorrow described JB’s Diner as a local landmark where customers are always treated like family.
“While the loss of the building is a tragedy, the fact that no one was injured or died is a blessing,” McMorrow said. “We are thankful for the quick thinking of the employees who got everyone out safely and for our firefighters who amazingly run toward an inferno when everyone else is running away.
“My husband and I have always enjoyed our visits to JB’s Diner. It was a slice of Americana where we could indulge in the epicurean menu that was served with a big helping of friendly service. We hope it will be rebuilt so it can once again be a part of our family town,” the mayor said.
