WHARTON BOROUGH, N.J. (Morris County) — A fire heavily damaged a building in Wharton Borough early Sunday that housed the commercial kitchen for Colonial Grill, forcing the popular food truck business to temporarily suspend operations, authorities said.
Wharton police said officers responded at 4:15 a.m. July 12 to a reported structure fire at 42 N. Main St. after the Morris County Communications Center received multiple 911 calls.
The Wharton Fire Department extinguished the blaze with assistance from fire departments in Rockaway Township, Dover, Mine Hill, Netcong, Jefferson, Roxbury, Picatinny Arsenal and Morris Plains.
No injuries were reported.
Utility companies responded to shut off power, gas and water to the building, while Wharton fire, building and health officials also responded. Authorities said the building sustained significant damage and will remain closed until further notice. Several nearby businesses lost power for part of the day, and North Main Street was closed for several hours while firefighters battled the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Anyone with information or video related to the incident is asked to contact Detective Zullo of the Wharton Police Department at 973-366-0557, ext. 0.
In a social media post, Colonial Grill said the building housed the commercial kitchen where it stored its cooking equipment, ingredients and supplies.
“First and foremost… WE ARE OKAY,” the business wrote. “Most importantly, thank God no one was hurt. Everyone involved with this building is safe, and that’s all that matters.”
The business said it believes the fire started outside the building before spreading inside, though the investigation remains ongoing.
Colonial Grill said its food trucks will remain temporarily closed while it searches for a replacement commercial kitchen that is already up to code and equipped with a three-compartment sink and adequate storage space.
The owners said they are not starting a GoFundMe campaign.
“We are NOT starting a GoFundMe. If you’d like to support us, the best thing you can do is come eat with us once we’re back on our feet. That’s more than enough, and it’s always been the reason we’ve been able to keep going,” the business said.
Colonial Grill is asking anyone with access to a commercial kitchen in or around Wharton that meets its operational needs to contact the business at 908-361-5475.
