Freehold Borough Italian Restaurant Damaged In Weekend Fire

FREEHOLD, NJ – A Freehold Borough restaurant had to evacuate its patrons and staff on Sunday due to a kitchen fire, according to its owner.

Believed to be caused by a malfunctioning motor placed near a water heater at the establishment, the fire was contained by kitchen staff at La Cipollina until responders arrived at the scene, according to owner Anthony Braica and executive chef Matthew Higgins in a Sunday evening post on Facebook.

"All Clients eating in the restaurant and staff were safely evacuated from the restaurant while our brave kitchen staff contained the fire until freeholds finest police and fire company arrived," the restaurant wrote on Sunday night.

The Freehold Fire Department responded to the fire at approximately 6:48 p.m., along with the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office and area health department officials.

No injuries were reported, according to the post.

“Over 30 years ago our local fire departments saved our location and again tonight we are indebted to them for saving our livelihood. 100% volunteer and just an incredible group of guys. Thank you all and sorry for screwing up your Sunday evening,” Braica and Higgins wrote.

The pair say they are now in the process of cleaning up the restaurant, repairing “all areas” and anticipating a quick turnaround.

“To all the clients we abruptly asked to leave our dining room, as well as the beautiful birthday party we were hosting in our terrace my deepest apologies, but your safety was our first priority. We will call you in the near future to arrange a less eventful return,” Braica and Higgins concluded.

While a reopening date has yet to be announced, Higgins told Patch in an email on Tuesday that he expects the establishment to be "closed for longer then a few days, the smoke damage is worse then anticipated [sic]."

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