Federici's, one of N.J.'s best pizzerias, damaged in fire

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Firefighters extinguish a small blaze at Federici's, an iconic Italian restaurant in downtown Freehold, Jan. 24, 2018 (Michael Colarusso, Monmouth County Department of Public Information & Tourism)
Firefighters extinguish a small blaze at Federici's, an iconic Italian restaurant in downtown Freehold, Jan. 24, 2018 (Michael Colarusso, Monmouth County Department of Public Information & Tourism)

By Paul Milo

pmilo@njadvancemedia.com,

NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A iconic Freehold restaurant that opened nearly a century ago and an adjoining eatery sustained smoke and water damage in a fire Wednesday afternoon, the Freehold Fire Department said in a statement.

Firefighters and police were called to Federici's Family Restaurant and the Court Jester on East Main Street shortly before 4 p.m., when patrons and staff reported smoke inside both establishments.

Firefighters discovered a fire in a wall of Federici's, which was quickly extinguished, the fire department said. No injuries were reported.

Federici's, opened in 1921 by Mike and Ester Federici, has been run by members of the Federici family for three generations. Bruce Springsteen was part of a large party that visited the restaurant this summer, NJ Advance Media previously reported.

Federici's was among the semi-finalists in NJ Advance Media's best pizzeria contest. 

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.