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Cause of massive blaze that destroyed boardwalk cafe sought

Fire investigators are trying to learn what started a massive blaze that destroyed a building housing a New Jersey boardwalk cafe and other businesses.

In this screen grab from Chopper 12 video provided by News 12 New Jersey, firefighters battle a blaze at the Dunes Boardwalk Cafe, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Ocean Grove, N.J. (News 12 New Jersey via AP)
In this screen grab from Chopper 12 video provided by News 12 New Jersey, firefighters battle a blaze at the Dunes Boardwalk Cafe, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Ocean Grove, N.J. (News 12 New Jersey via AP)Read moreAP

OCEAN GROVE, N.J. — Fire investigators are trying to find out what started a massive blaze that destroyed a building housing a New Jersey boardwalk cafe and other businesses.

Officials in Ocean Grove said the fire broke out about 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Dunes Boardwalk Cafe building, which houses several seasonal businesses and was apparently unoccupied at the time.

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said the blaze was brought under control briefly but flared up again, and officials say it smoldered overnight. Golden said the building was a total loss.

The fire began underneath the structure, Golden said, but the cause wasn’t immediately known. No injuries were reported.

The fire was just a block north of a 2017 fire that damaged or destroyed seven buildings.