High winds ripped off part of the roof at a Bed, Bath & Beyond in a New Jersey strip mall Thursday morning, causing an evacuation and the shuttering of several stores, authorities say.
Debris from the roof hit a small gas line that runs through several stores in the mall on International Drive in Flanders, sparking a small fire, police said.
The fire was doused quickly and no one was hurt. The mall area was evacuated as a precaution.
Utility crews shut off the gas main and several stores, including the home furnishing store, were closed while authorities investigated. It wasn't clear when they would reopen.
A fire official said the part of the roof that flew off was like a sealant, and the roof itself did not sustain any structural damage.
A wind advisory is in effect for Flanders, along with Morris County and much of the tri-state area, as the National Weather Service predicts gusts may reach 45 mph.