Police evacuated eight apartment residents before the building "erupted into flames." Watch video
SOUTH BOUND BROOK -- Eight South Bound Brook residents were saved from a potential disaster when borough police Monday morning noticed smoke coming from a nearby restaurant and bar on the ground floor below their apartments.
Police Lt. Jeff Titus said officers noticed smoke coming from the SouthSide Grille and Restaurant, 2 Main St., about 8:55 a.m.
He said officers quickly entered the building and evacuated eight residents.
"Shortly after, it erupted into flames," Titus said.
Porcelain pranksters wanted for vandalism with toilet, frozen raccoon
Flames were initially visible in the kitchen area of the restaurant, but Titus said it will take an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
He said the apartments as well as the entire restaurant and bar were damaged by the fire and smoke or the water used to put out the fire.
"There is quite a bit of damage to it," he said.
Crews from South Bound Brook, Bound Brook, Middlesex, Somerset Fire and Rescue, Elizabeth Avenue Fire Co., Community Fire Co. responded to the fire, Titus said.
Tim Darragh may be reached at tdarragh@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @timdarragh. Find NJ.com on Facebook.