The business has been a fixture in the borough since 1936.
FLEMINGTON -- A three-alarm fire that destroyed the Tirpok Cleaners' borough store on Thursday night doesn't appear to be suspicious, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III said in a news release on Friday.
At 6:55 p.m., a 911 call was placed to the borough fire department by store employees after a fire was observed inside the store, the release said. The business, located on Reaville Avenue, sustained severe damage but no injuries were reported, according to the release.
The fire does not appear to be suspicious and an investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, authorities said.
It took firefighters roughly three hours to bring the blaze under control. Firefighters returned early Friday morning after the fire rekindled.
"First of all, our hearts go out to the Tirpok family," Flemington Mayor Phil Greiner said Friday. "They've operated an iconic business in our community for several generations and we feel their loss.
"We're delighted that no one was injured in the fire and I would be remiss not to extend our heartfelt thanks to our fire department and all the fire departments around the county and beyond that responded."
Fire investigators from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Arson Task Force and the Flemington Borough Police Department are investigating the blaze, authorities said.
Firefighters battle 2-alarm blaze at N.J. landscaping company
"I commend the volunteers for their quick response to this fire," said Kearns. "It is a testament to the dedication of these men and women to see so many fire companies and rescue squads come to the aid of their fellow volunteers and keep our county safe.
"Other structures and businesses surrounding the cleaners were saved by the rapid response and expertise of our selfless first responders."
Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles, and Route 202 south was closed, aswas the Route 202-31 Circle, borough police reported Thursday night.
The building housing Central Wine Merchants, located next door to the cleaners, was also damaged. The extent was not known as of early Friday morning.
The cleaners, which is located in a triangle of land bordered by the circle and Route 202, Route 12 and Reaville Avenue, is in one of the busiest parts of Hunterdon County.
Tirpok has four locations - Flemington, Lebanon Borough, Clinton and Greenwich. The company started in 1936 with a shoe-shine stand on Main Street in the borough, according to its website. The borough shop was built in 1948 and was its main location.
This is the second large fire in recent months in the Flemington-Raritan area. In March, firefighters battled a two-alarm fire at J&J Landscaping Company and Garden Center located off Route 31 in the township. The business remains open and has plans to rebuild the garden center.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-0010 or by going to www.crimestoppershunterdon.com, or text messaging "HCTIPS" plus your tip message to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters can also download the free mobile app "Tipsubmit" and select Hunterdon County to submit anonymous tips via text messaging.
All tips are anonymous and kept confidential.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.