Fire damages several businesses in Clinton New Jersey strip mall, donations being accepted to the Open Cupboard Food Pantry

CLINTON, N.J. — Heavy flames damaged several businesses, including a Walgreens and a liquor store, in a Clinton, New Jersey strip mall Sunday evening.

Crews were called to the scene on Old Highway 22, near routes 78 and 31 around 8:30 pm.

Flames could be seen coming through the roof as fire crews arrived.

In just under 3 hours, the fire was put out although firefighters remained on the scene.

Photo courtesy Mike Nester

One firefighter was sent to the hospital for minor injuries and was later released according to 69 News.

Multiple businesses were damaged. A food pantry in the strip mall suffered water damage, according to WFMZ News..

On Facebook, Open Cupboard said it will rebuild and in the meantime, it will utilize its second location in Washington, Warren County. (see below for more information)

Hunterdon County is working with the pantry's clients who don't drive to get their items delivered.

The food pantry was a big part of the community and so many people went there,. according to the WFMZ news report.

A note from the Director of the Open Cupboard Food Pantry & Thrift Shop

As the day began, and the reality has now set in as to just how devastating the fire was, there is a tremendous loss to the community and all the clients that we serve. I want to thank our volunteers that have helped and I want to thank you.

The outpouring of support has been beyond my wildest dreams.

The best way to help right now will be through monetary donations and Shoprite gift cards.

Please visit our website:

https://www.opencupboardfoodpantry.org/how-to-donate/

to use our online portal.

We will rebuild. We have a plan in place. I have an amazing team. Our friends, our family, our donors, our neighbors, our businesses, our local organizations and churches, our schools and our elected officials have all come together to rally around this amazing agency that does so much more than provide food for our clients. As we move forward, we will start to organize and schedule food drives for non-perishable items. We will utilize our second location in Warren-County in the interim, and also share with our neighbors at the Flemington Food Pantry who have so generously offered their assistance.

Please share this information. It will take some time. It will take some effort and it will take a lot of heart, but I believe in this community and we will continue to follow our mission: “neighbors, helping neighbors”

According to WFMZ News, Walgreens is working to set up a temporary mobile location for prescription pickup. In the meantime, people are being directed to go to the Whitehouse store.

The Walgreens was open when the fire started, but thankfully, people inside were able to get out safely.

WFMZ reported that Investigators are still working to determine how the fire started, though they don't believe it was foul play.