Westmont Diner damaged after fire in Haddon Township, NJ

HADDON TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- At the Westmont Diner in Haddon Township, New Jersey, customers stopped by all day Wednesday not knowing their regular lunch spot was closed.

"I pulled up, parked the car. And it's like the door is locked. What's going on? I look inside, it's dark," said Tom Wilkie of Pennsauken, N.J.

The longtime favorite eatery on West Cuthbert Boulevard is temporarily closed after a fire overnight damaged part of the building.

Fire crews were called around 1:30 a.m.

Flames damaged equipment on the roof of the building.

Betty Szymanski stopped by when a friend told her about the fire.

"We were here last night. They had a psychic dinner," she said. "I'm heartbroken. I've been coming here forever, and this crew here at the Westmont Diner is the best ever."

A letter on the locked door says no one was hurt and the damage was minimal.

According to hours listed online, the diner does not operate 24 hours a day, and was closed at the time of the fire.

"This was the Crystal Lake (Diner). It's been many variations, but I've been coming here since I was young," said Paul Rogers.

This restaurant was indeed called the Crystal Lake Diner, which had a fire in 2014, causing serious damage.

In 2020, new owners came in and relocated the Westmont Diner to this location.

We spoke to lots of regulars after the fire.

"Every Sunday morning after church, we come here," said Bill Holscher, who always orders the French toast.

"The food's delicious, the people are very very kind. And you're in and out," said Roy Coco, who works nearby.

The cause is under investigation by the Haddon Township. Fire Marshal, but no foul play is suspected.

We were not able to reach the owner of the diner for comment on Wednesday.

The statement put out by the diner on social media doesn't say how long they expect to be closed, but does say they hope to reopen soon.