Fire, then backhoes tear through NJ’s 234-year-old Hillcrest Tavern

Fire crews remained at the 234-year old HIllcrest Tavern in Bridgeton on Monday afternoon, cleaning up after an early morning blaze that severely damaged the structure

Lt. Tom Speranza of the Bridgeton Police Dept. told New Jersey 101.5 fire units were still on scene early on Monday afternoon as back hoes took down portions to the structure in order to reach hot spots.

Firefighters were also looking to access to the area where the fire was first showing on the second floor, with heavy smoke and flames shooting out when crews arrived just before 5 a.m. Investigators want to check a back corner of the building as well.

He said there we no injuries connected to the fire. No residents have been displaced — the building only housed a restaurant and tavern.

Route 49, which had been closed earlier in the morning, had since reopened.

Some people shared memories of the Hillcrest on Facebook.

"What a shame about the Hillcrest Tavern in Bridgeton, NJ, that fire took it almost all the way down, and we were just there this past Saturday night, WOW!!!," posted M. Arletta Hartog.

"This is really a sad story for those that live in Bridgeton (and) had so many memories especially with ones that (are) no longer here with us," wrote Brenda Gonzales.

"Wow. The Hillcrest tavern in Bridgeton burned down. Was a cool place to hang back in the day," posted Walter Lore.