Hazlet Police confirm the fire that destroyed the Buhler car dealership on Rt. 35 has been put out.

Rt. 35 was closed for several hours between Holmdel Rd. and Hazlet Ave. as firefighters worked to calm the huge blaze this morning.

Holmdel Patch reports the fire erupted around 5:15 a.m and the roof of the rear building collapsed.

Tall flames could be seen in the back of the dealership, black smoke drifting towards Middletown and Keyport.

“What you are looking at is nothing but a brick shell and charred cars inside,” Darren Buhler, co-owner of the dealership, told the Holmdel Patch. “Anything in the service area is gone and charred. A few pockets are still burning,” he said.

Buhler said the dealership was fully insured and that the family, which started its business in Keyport, would rebuild.

The fire started in the service garage, behind the new car showroom, and engulfed the back building.

One firefighter was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and taken to Bayshore Community Hospital.

Rt. 35 has been reopened. Police and fire units remain on the scene.

Photo courtesy Patch of Holmdel

 


 

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