Six stores were destroyed last Friday in a fire that spread across part of Short Hills Town Center in Cherry Hill.
“The entire building is consumed; it’s probably going to be demolished,” said Tamara DeLucca, Public Information Officer with the Cherry Hill Fire Department, of the affected strip center businesses.
Firefighters were dispatched to the 484 Evesham Road strip at 10:51 a.m. and arrived on scene within four and a half minutes. Given the extent of damage, firefighters did not enter any of the buildings but had the blaze extinguished in about an hour. No one was injured.
DeLucca said while some of the businesses were closed at the time of the fire — possibly a result of PSEG’s nearby work — Starbucks remained open. She noted that all of the businesses were quickly evacuated, and no firefighter or occupant injuries were reported. The animals at Camp Bow Wow grooming were also evacuated and reported unharmed.
As of 1 p.m. on Friday, the fire department had begun reopening surrounding roads.
The Cherry Hill Fire Marshal’s Office and the Camden County Fire Marshal’s Office will conduct an investigation into fire’s source. DeLucca said both offices were on site Friday afternoon to begin their assessment.
The fire department will provide updates as they unfold via their Facebook page at Facebook.com/cherryhillfire.
