Kitchen Fire Temporarily Closes Wildwood's Duffinetti's Restaurant

A beloved Jersey Shore dining spot will be temporarily closed after firefighters responded to a kitchen fire in the early hours of Monday morning.

Wildwood and North Wildwood firefighters were dispatched to Duffinetti's Restaurant at approximately 1:40 a.m. on Monday, June 15, according to a release from fire officials. Upon arrival, crews discovered a working fire in the rear kitchen area of the building with heavy smoke throughout the structure.

Thanks to the swift response of emergency personnel, the fire was extinguished within 15 minutes of their arrival. The quick action by initial companies helped keep damage to a minimum, officials noted. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

The Cape May County Fire Marshal's Office investigated the incident and determined the fire to be accidental in nature.

In a brief statement following the fire, the restaurant reassured patrons and the community, saying, "We are okay!"

While the longtime Jersey Shore establishment will be temporarily closed as repairs are made, the positive outcome of Monday's incident reflects the professionalism and rapid response of our local fire departments. The restaurant has not yet announced a timeline for reopening.