BJ’s roof collapse traps shoppers inside New Jersey store as rescue crews search damaged building

A large emergency response was triggered in Monmouth County, New Jersey, on Monday after a partial roof collapse at a local BJ's Wholesale Club trapped multiple people inside during a wave of severe weather.

Just after 11:15 a.m. local time, emergency personnel rushed to the BJ's Wholesale Club on Route 35 in Ocean Township following reports of the collapse, according to a statement from the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.

Shocking video appeared to show unsuspecting shoppers looking at grocery items seconds before the roof collapsed, sending a large amount of water gushing into the business.

Authorities confirmed 27 people were inside the building at the time of the incident, though no injuries were reported.

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Two people were partially entrapped in the debris but managed to free themselves and safely escape the building.

Emergency teams deployed specialized rescue units to ensure the building was clear, conducting primary and secondary searches, according to the sheriff’s office.

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The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office interior drone searched the structurally compromised building, along with New Jersey Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) K-9 teams.

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden praised the first responders for working "seamlessly together" despite the severe weather and ongoing flooding plaguing the local communities.

"This incident is another reminder of how quickly severe weather can create dangerous and unpredictable conditions," Golden said.

Ocean Township Police Chief Michael Sorrentino urged motorists and residents to stay away from the area as emergency operations continue.

Travelers are asked to avoid Route 35, Park Avenue and Deal Road, specifically the stretch between Routes 18 and 35.