Deal, NJ – Fire ripped through a three-story building housing a popular borough pizzeria early this morning, displacing tenants above the restaurant and prompting the rescue of at least person in the adjoining building.

Firefighters from nine area fire companies responded to the three-alarm blaze at Jerusalem II pizzeria in the 100 block of Norwood Avenue around 1 a.m. No injuries were reported but as many as nine people were displaced, according to Fire Chief Brian Fronpfel, of Deal Fire Co. No. 2.

Fire spread throughout all three floors of the half of the building housing the popular kosher pizzeria as heavy smoke filled the adjoining half of the structure atop Shalom Groceries store, where firefighters had to rescue at least one occupant from an upper-floor apartment, Fronpfel said.

No injuries were reported and the Jersey Coast chapter of the American Red Cross was on hand to provide assistance for tenants in the apartments above both stores who were displaced by the fire, Fronpfel said.

Firefighters from Deal, Allenhurst, Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Neptune, Oakhurst, Wanamassa, Wayside and West Long Branch fire companies all responded to the scene, with Asbury Park firefighters held on standby.

The fire was was declared under control shortly after 4 a.m., Fronpfel said. The restaurant was left charred and the upper-level windows were broken.

Fire marshals are expected on scene this morning to determine the origin and cause of the fire, Fronpfel said.

(Source: APP)