A historic South Jersey tavern went up in flames Monday, devastating community residents as it burned for hours in a three-alarm inferno.
Firefighters were first called about 5 a.m. to the Hillcrest Tavern and Coach Room, in Bridgeton, Cumberland County, caught fire in the early-morning hours. The Hillcrest Tavern, built in 1782, was a longtime landmark and icon of the small South Jersey community where it is located.
The fire burned for hours as firefighters from several different local departments diligently battled frigid temperatures as they fought the flames.
NBC10's Drew Smith reported that although most of the flames were doused by 11 a.m., the scene was not declared under control because of the way the centuries-old building collapsed.
Residents of the area were devastated by the loss of the historic tavern.
"This was a mainstay," said Bridgeton councilman Bill Spence. "I don't think anybody ever thought about this disappearing."
Denise Dellaquilla, a longtime bartender who worked at the Hillcrest for 26 years, cried as she spoke with NBC10's Cydney Long outside the ruined building Monday afternoon.
"It's just devastating," Dellaquilla said. "It's the place everybody went, the place everybody loved and it's a big loss for Bridgeton."
As crews battled the fire, the freezing temperatures complicated matters, creating sheets of ice around the scene. Crews threw salt to try to melt the ice as they continued to fight the fire.
The fire had Route 49 shut down in both directions in the area of Fayette Street. The road was reopened about 12:30 p.m.
