SOMERVILLE – Zachy Christodoulou, owner of Yoga Odyssey next door to King Tut on Main Street, was thousands of miles away when she got the call she had always dreaded.
Christodoulou was on Cyprus in the Mediterranean when she received word her business was threatened by the stubborn fire that broke out Tuesday afternoon in the basem*nt of the Middle Eastern restaurant that spread to neighboring Mike's Courtside Kitchen and displaced more than a dozen residents living above the restaurants. Main Street remained closed for more than a day.
“It was unbelievable and unimaginable to see your store surrounded by smoke from the cameras of others,” said Christodoulou, who has managed the crisis from the Mediterranean island where she was looking to open another yoga studio. “We are a yoga studio, and we will survive."
Christodoulou was confident Somerville and her business will recover.
"The community is very strong and full of warriors, but our main goal is to make sure everyone has shelter, food and water," she said. ."If we have to do our yoga outside on Division Street or in my backyard until we get back into our space, that's what we'll do.”
Authorities are investigating the origin and cause of the fire that brought more than 100 emergency responders to the heart of the county seat.
Detectives from the Somerville Police Department, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fire Investigation Unit are assisting Somerville Fire Officials in conducting the investigation, said Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald.
The two buildings containing King Tut, Mike's Courtside Kitchen and apartments on the upper floors were heavily damaged in the fire which was not brought under control until 12 hours later. It's not known whether the buildings face condemnation.
Both McDonald and Somerville Mayor Brian Gallagher praised the emergency responders for their quick action in evacuating the workers and residents.
"They kept it from being a tragedy," Gallagher said.
One Somerville police officer sustained minor injuries, was taken to an area hospital, and was released.
Four volunteer firefighters also received minor injuries. Two were treated at the scene while the other two were treated at the hospital and released.
Volunteer firefighters from Finderne, Bound Brook, Hillsborough Station 37, Hillsborough Station 36, Martinsville, Franklin Fire District 27, Franklin Fire District 56, Country Hills Fire Department, Green Knoll, Manville, Warren Township, Raritan Borough, Lyons Veterans Administration, North Branch, and Liberty Corner responded to assist the Somerville Fire Department.
Emergency medical personnel from Somerville, Martinsville, and Green Knoll also responded to the scene along with officers from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office who assisted Somerville Police with traffic control. Personnel from the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management, including the Somerset County Fire Coordinator, responded to assist with the unified command of fire and police personnel.
The displaced residents were first taken to the Somerville Civic Center on Robeson Street, then lodged at a local hotel, Gallagher said, adding the American Red Cross assisted borough staffers in helping the residents.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Somerville Police Department at 908-725-0331 or via the STOPit app. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
Disruption
The fire and the closure of Main Street for more than a day caused worry for merchants in the revitalized downtown.
“This fire is already causing me issues,” Jillian McAlpine, owner of Carousel of Flowers across Main Street from King Tut, said on Wednesday. “Even though I’m open today, I have to get my flowers shipped to my house then bring them here. I literally made the switch hours ago.”
McAlpine’s store, like others near the intersection of Main and Bridge streets, were evacuated around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. But when they returned to work, they were worried about the impact of the fire.
Tessuto owner Ashley Micheley believes businesses on Main Street may face difficulty in the short run.
“Luckily, we have a parking lot in the back, so it’s a matter of people just going around the barriers,” said Micheley, “But regardless, this will affect businesses tremendously.”
Linda Taylor of Boma 520 shared a similar outlook, “All we had to do was evacuate yesterday at 3:30, unfortunately though, the whole street is shut down, so I don’t know how business will be over the next couple of days," Taylor said on Wednesday.
Christodoulou said the fire department had to break into her yoga studio and pop a hole in her wall to reach hoses into King Tut’s basem*nt. That caused an unknown amount of water damage.
“We probably won't be able to revisit the studio until somebody goes in and assesses what structural damage.” said Christodoulou. “We've also been told that there is fear of collapse and that is an issue for me because that collapse obviously can land on my flat roof.”
It's not the first time fire has disrupted business on that block of Main Street.
On April 6, 1975, a fire broke out in the basem*nt of Woldin's shoe storewhere Yoga Odyssey and Sushi Yokohama are.
Three weeks later, an arsonist set fire to the remains of the shoe store and the fire spread to Perl's Drug Store, which was on the corner of Bridge and Main streets, Forsgate's Restaurant, Tarantino & Sons shoe repair shop, Mel's Barber Shop and Home Beautiful Decorators.
'Together we stand strong'
It's been an eventful 2024 in Somerville with a homicide that shook the community, floods, a snowstorm and a fire near the intersection often called the "crossroads of Somerset County."
But the Somerville Police Department on its Facebook page had a simple message: "Together we stand strong."
The police department expressed its "heartfelt recognition and gratitude: to the Somerville Fire Department, Somerville Rescue Squad and all the other emergency responders; "your bravery and dedication are deeply appreciated," the post said.
The police department also thanked "our amazing community businesses and the Somerville Civic League" for their in bringing food and water to our police officers and firefighters.
"Your generosity and solidarity exemplify the strength and compassion of our community," the post said. "Together, we stand strong. Thank you for being there for us."
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com and emannello@mycentraljersey.com
