PERTH AMBOY, N.J. (AP)  -- A four-alarm fire destroyed a pizzeria and two adjacent buildings Tuesday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of several nearby residents.

No injuries were immediately reported from the blaze, which broke out just before 2 p.m. at Stella Pizza and Restaurant on Amboy Avenue, and quickly spread to the adjoining businesses.

"They are a total loss,'' Mayor Joseph Vas said. "But there have been no injuries, which we're thankful for.''

The mayor said a faulty furnace might have touched off the blaze inside the pizzeria.

Neighbors living near the fire were evacuated due to heavy smoke in the area, and were put up at a senior citizens center. They were expected to be allowed to return to their homes Tuesday night, Vas said.

Firefighters from numerous Middlesex County departments battled the blaze.

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