LAVALLETTE, NJ – Powerful wind gusts brought down the roof of a Sunoco gas station in Ocean County Friday evening, crushing the canopy above the pumps but causing no reported injuries. The collapse occurred around 6 p.m. at the station on the 2000 block of Grand Central Avenue, where emergency crews arrived to find the structure had fallen straight down onto the fuel area.
According to Assistant Fire Chief Vincent Craparotta of the Lavallette Fire Department, gusts reaching up to 50 miles per hour may have triggered the collapse. He said the canopy was a freestanding structure, separate from the main building, and had deteriorated over time. The steel columns supporting the 40-year-old roof were found to be rusted, and the force of the wind caused the weakened structure to give way.
Firefighters secured the scene and inspected the area to ensure there were no fuel leaks or electrical hazards. Portions of Grand Central Avenue were temporarily blocked as first responders cleared debris and assessed the damage.
Officials said the incident serves as a reminder of the risks posed by aging infrastructure during extreme weather events.