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Fire That Gutted Popular NJ Eatery Declared Accidental

By Mike DeNardo

WESTMONT, N.J. (CBS) -- Camden County fire investigators are looking for the exact cause of a blaze that ripped through a popular diner overnight in Westmont, NJ.  The fire marshal says the fire was not suspicious.

Today, a crane moved charred kitchen equipment from outside the Crystal Lake Diner, after flames gutted the landmark eatery overnight (see related story).

The fire started around 11pm in the basement of the diner, on Cuthbert Boulevard.  The first floor reporedly collapsed into the basement. No one was injured.

But as investigators combed through the rubble in the daylight, patrons stopped by to commiserate.

Sherri Tierno, of Collingswood, NJ, recalled when she was pregnant 22 years ago, craving the Crystal Lake's london broil with mushroom gravy.

"This was a real diner, where you can have breakfast and... they had the best chipped beef!  Loved their chipped beef."

Eileen Kirk, of Haddon Heights, says the diner will be missed.

"I felt so bad, because it's convenient for us and we come here a lot," she told KYW Newsradio.   She says she's hoping the owners will rebuild.

 

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