Video courtesy of John Zalepka

The remains of JB's Diner in Freehold following a fire (John Zalepka)
The remains of JB's Diner in Freehold following a fire (John Zalepka)
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FREEHOLD — JB's Diner was heavily damaged by fire on Tuesday night.

Video of the fire showed flames shooting out of the roof of the single-story restaurant on Route 537. The Asbury Park Press reported a server yelled for everyone to get out after she smelled smoke and then saw flames.

Freehold Township police officer Brian Worth told the newspaper that a preliminary investigation by the Monmouth County Fire Marshall's Office showed the fire to be accidental.

Nearby resident John Zalepka, who took video of the fire, said he liked to bring his kids to the diner at the intersection of Route 524 in the Smithburg section of Freehold.

He said many who lived in the homes surrounding the area came out and watched firefighters work to put out the flames.

"It's amazing how a tragedy brings people together, both physically and emotionally as we shared stories of all the great memories we had there as well as all of the historical memorabilia that was certainly lost in the fire."

JB's has a second location on Route 70 in Manchester.

Many took to Twitter to remember JB's.

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