Boro thanks responders to bowling center blaze
Owner says Memory Bowling will be rebuilt
BY KIMBERLY STEINBERG Staff Writer
The firefighters, police officers and emergency medical service workers from several Monmouth County towns who worked together to extinguish the fire that engulfed Memory Bowling center were presented with certificates of appreciation at the June 15 Shrewsbury Borough Council meeting.

KIMBERLY STEINBERG Mayor Terel Cooperhouse presents Fire Chief Pete Gibson and members of Shrewsbury Fire Hose Company No. 1 with a certificate of appreciation at the June 15 council meeting for their outstanding service and dedication in fighting the fire that demolished Memory Lanes.

Mayor Terel Cooperhouse received the first call from Shrewsbury Hose Company Fire Chief Pete Gibson on June 5 at 11:30 a.m., while the fire blazed at Memory Bowling, known locally as Memory Lanes, reducing the 81-year-old borough landmark to rubble.

“All of our emergency service personnel, including fire and first aid, emergency management and our police department, responded right away,” said Cooperhouse at the meeting. The Shrewsbury Boy Scouts presented the flags.

CHRIS KELLY staff Firefighters from Shrewsbury, Red Bank and surrounding towns battle a blaze at Memory Bowling center on June 5.

“When I arrived home from the train at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday night, our guys were still there, as were 14 or 15 other fire departments assisting the Shrewsbury fire hose company,” said Cooperhouse.

“We had a lot going on at one time. There was a lot of fire, and that’s something we haven’t seen in a very long time in this town. The dedication showed from all members of this fire department, and it showed how dedicated our town is from our first aid squad to our residents who came out to help us pass water out and assist all the other fire departments. Being the chief of this fire department makes me the happiest man in the world,” Gibson said.

“I’ve been told by a number of you today that if it wasn’t for the command structure and the professionalism not only of our guys and of the surrounding community, that the damage would have been much worse,” Cooperhouse said.

The only damage was to Memory Bowling center, located at 89 Newman Springs Road. Surrounding homes and businesses were not affected.

Cooperhouse presented Chief Gibson and the firefighters of Hose Company No. 1 with certificates of appreciation.

The certificates commended the firefighters for their dedication and outstanding service at the fire that devastated the bowling center, which opened in 1928.

The dedication thanked the firemen for being the ultimate standard in professionalism by risking their own safety in order to take control of and extinguish the fire.

“I’m so proud to be the chief of the Shrewsbury Fire Department. The firefighters showed bravery and resilience in trying to put out a fire against all odds,” said Gibson.

Cooperhouse also presented the Shrewsbury First Aid Squad officers with an award that recognized and congratulated the volunteers on the squad for their dedication and outstanding service.

The mayor and council thanked the local businesses that provided refreshments and food at the scene.

Representatives from the American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter provided food and coffee to the rescue squads on June 5.

LaRosa’s Bakery, located nearby at 79 Newman Springs Road, provided trays of sandwiches and breads to emergency service personnel.

“I appreciate you saving my building,” owner Peter LaRosa said to the emergency service workers.

Red Bank Volvo, 100 Newman Springs Road, provided pizza and sodas to those at the scene.

Representatives of the Windmill Restaurant and Dunkin’ Donuts were not present to receive their certificate of appreciation.

“It’s kind of hard to trump all of the kind words and certificates, but I’ve got a few of my own as a token of appreciation, said Alex Melamudov, owner of Memory Bowling.

Melamudov first thanked the Shrewsbury Hose Company “in recognition and gratitude for your outstanding efforts and courage in protecting our community and efforts to save Memory Lanes.”

He continued by thanking the Shrewsbury First Aid squad for their “selfless efforts in my time of need.

“Thank you to the local police and specifically Lt. Ferrarro, who kept me in the loop when I didn’t know which way was up,” he said.

Melamudov said that Shrewsbury police had their hands full. They dealt with a lot of traffic issues in addition to patrolling the burning building to keep people away, and specifically for “telling me where to stand and what to expect. Thank you,” he said.

Lastly, Melamudov expressed much gratitude to the Shrewsbury Ladies Auxiliary for all of their efforts.

The Red Bank fire crew was not present to receive their certificates of appreciation.

Fire companies that assisted the Shrewsbury Hose Company in putting out the fire include: Red Bank, Little Silver, Tinton Falls, Eatontown, Oceanport, Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach, Lincroft, Port Monmouth, Neptune and Wanamassa

EMS workers in Little Silver, Red Bank, Fair Haven, Leonardo, Neptune and Lincroft were on the scene.

The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office field communication unit was on site as well.

According to Shrewsbury Borough Police Chief John Wilson, the blaze was first reported at 11:15 a.m.

Melamudov was in his office when the popping noises he heard coming from the ceiling made him suspect a fire, Wilson said.

Melamudov immediately safely evacuated everyone, including a group that was attending a birthday party, he said.

The building was engulfed in heavy flames as firefighters arrived to the scene. Hours later the fire was still ablaze and the sky filled with smoke, Cooperhouse said.

Portions of the building’s ceiling and the front exterior wall began to crumble while the firefighters worked to put the blaze out.

Nearby homes and businesses were evacuated as a safety precaution, but the fire was contained to the bowling center.

The fire, which was determined to be electrical in nature, destroyed the building. Melamudov confirmed that he plans to rebuild as soon as possible.