A massive blaze raged through the West End business district Monday, destroying or damaging 10 businesses and 14 apartments.
More than a dozen tenants were left homeless, and some were evacuated by firefighters, according to the Asbury Park Press.
The cause of the multi-alarm fire in Long Branch remains under investigation.
However, Martin Grubman, who owns the building at 59 Brighton Ave., told reporters that fire officials told him they believed the fire started in the basement next door at 61 Brighton, a large white building that was home to West End Dance Academy.
“That was my baby,” said Grubman, who bought the brick-frame, three-story building at 59 Brighton in 1985 and rehabilitated it as it faced condemnation. “It's destroyed.’’
More than 100 firefighters from 11 fire companies in Monmouth County responded to the fire call.
A firefighter suffered an injured lip.
