A fire has destroyed all the donated food and clothing in a pantry in Piscataway, the township’s mayor said.
The fire will likely cause the 100-plus year building leased by Fish, Inc. to be a total loss, Mayor Brian Wahler said from the scene.
The fire broke out at 7:15 a.m and quickly spread to the roof. Firefighters were still pouring water on the still-smoldering building at 8:45 a.m., the mayor said. No one was inside when the fire started and no firefighters were hurt.
Fish has about 2,500 clients, with at least 60 families counting on the pantry for food and clothing each week, Wahler said.
“This is a real shocker,” Wahler said. “With the religious holidays coming up, a lot of people depend on it so it’s a major issue. We’ll be working with church officials as well as the Fish organization to see if other businesses can help with refrigeration (of food).
Officials will announce a plan on where food and clothing donations can be brought in the meantime.
The building is owned by a nearby church and leased to Fish, Inc. The church is across the street and was not affected.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Founded in 1969, the non-profit all-volunteer Fish Inc. serves Dunellen, Middlesex, Piscataway, South Plainfield, Edison, Highland Park and Green Brook.
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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
