UPDATE: Garwood ShopRites Reopens After Electrical Fire

UPDATED STORY, Tuesday, Feb. 14:

The reopened around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday after an electrical fire started in the meat department caused the store to be evacuated and closed on Monday evening.

The fire broke out around 3:45 p.m on Monday. A police dispatcher told Patch the fire was extinguished by employees with fire extinguishers before the Garwood Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene. The fire department then provided ventilation to clear the store of a heavy smoke condition.

Employees and shoppers were evacuated from the store as the fire broke out and no one was injured. One Shoprite employee was treated for difficulty breathing and released at the scene. 

On Monday night and into Tuesday morning, police blocked the entrance to the store parking lot with cones and caution tape. According to ShopRite's Helen Cruz, the closing and delayed opening this morning (to store usually opens at 7 a.m.) was because the Board of Health needed to inspect the store and approve its reopening. That approval came this morning, according to Cruz.

ORIGINAL STORY, Monday, Feb. 13:

An electrical fire started in the meat department at caused the grocery store to close on Monday evening, according to Garwood Police.

The fire broke out around 3:45 p.m. A police dispatcher told Patch the fire was extinguished by employees with fire extinguishers before the Garwood Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene. The fire department then provided ventilation to clear the store of smoke.

Employees and shoppers were evacuated from the store as the fire broke out and no one was injured or required medical attention. The store remained closed as the Board of Health inspected the building after the fire, according to Garwood Police. Police blocked the entrance to the store parking lot with cones and caution tape. 

There is no word yet on whether or not the store will open on Tuesday.