LACEY – When Bob Nosti left town with his wife on April 22, he glanced south and noticed a pillar of smoke rising into the sky. He thought little of it — in Ocean County, springtime often brings controlled burns to clear underbrush. But by the time he returned home hours later, the smoke had thickened, the air was acrid, and the Garden State Parkway traffic had grounded to a halt.
What Nosti didn’t know then was that the warehouse housing his life’s work — Liberty Door and Awning — was about to go up in smoke. But instead of being defeated, Nosti channeled his resilience to rebuild and push forward, refusing to let this setback define him.
“I have an awesome customer base,” said Nosti. “What I’m worried about is making sure they get everything they need when they need it.”
A Nightmare Journey Home
Nosti, like so many in Lacey Township, was caught off guard by the fire’s ferocity. As he and his wife left town to head to Monmouth County, they spotted smoke to the south but assumed it was a routine controlled burn. It wasn’t until later, driving home on the Parkway amid growing smoke and impossible traffic, that the true severity became clear.
Getting home was a nightmare,” Nosti said. “I didn’t get home until around 7 p.m.”
It was then, finally home, that the devastating call came: the Liberty Door and Awning warehouse was engulfed in flames.
“I knew then it was gone,” he said. “I didn’t even go over that night — there was no point. I went the next morning. It’s hard to describe what you feel when you pull up, and it’s just rubble.”
All of the company’s inventory, four vehicles, storage containers, and a forklift were reduced to twisted metal and ash.
Bob Nosti is the owner of Liberty Door and Awning. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Business Moves Forward — No Layoffs
Despite the overwhelming loss, Nosti made a decision immediately: no layoffs. All 50 employees immediately chimed in to do their part.
The company still had a heartbeat thanks to Liberty’s showroom on Lacey Road — relocated there about a year and a half ago.
Finding a silver lining amidst the ashes couldn’t be easy, but Nosti managed to do so. Relocating the company’s office to the showroom made it easier to function. With all the data and paperwork available, employees have been fast at work reordering products and contacting customers. The showroom not only became a temporary base of operations but a lifeline during a time when every minute counted.
“We’ve worked all week. We didn’t miss one day,” Nosti said. “We had service and repair crews working right away. I told everyone, nobody gets laid off.”
My team — I always said I had the best — this just proves it,” Nosti continued, his voice thick with emotion. “They showed up the day after the fire ready to work.”
Offers of help began pouring in almost immediately — people sent meals, desserts and flowers. Companies that normally vied for the same customers reached out with offers of loaner trucks and labor.
“They’re no longer competitors — they’re just the garage door community,” Nosti said. “The support has been overwhelming. I can’t even go on social media because I’ll choke up.”
Nosti also credits Door Pro America, which partnered with Liberty earlier this year, helping the company stay operational during the crisis. Insurance will cover the cost of rebuilding the warehouse, though that process will take time. In the meantime, suppliers are offering discounted materials and temporary storage.
Governor Phil Murphy, currently in Poland, reached out to Nosti on the very first day. Locally, Township Administrator Veronica Laureigh has been relentless in helping the company search for a temporary home.
“Veronica is the most amazing person I have ever met,” Nosti said. “She’s uncovering every stone.”
While the Lacey Road showroom will remain, rebuilding the warehouse will take too long. Nosti hopes to find a larger facility nearby but knows it may not be easy.
Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) spoke with Bob Nosti personally to offer the assistance of his office. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Political Leaders Visit Site of Tragic Loss
Although Nosti was focused on pulling together what he could, he left the showroom to visit the site where the warehouse once stood. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), State Senator Carmen Amato Jr. (R-9), and Mayor Peter Curatolo were already there speaking with members of the New Jersey Forest Service.
Assistant State Fire Warden Shawn Judy spoke bluntly about the urgent need for better firefighting tools.
“We need modernized equipment. It’s expensive, but it’s a cost we have to face,” Judy said. “This fire could have wiped out Pheasant Run or larger sections of Lacey.”
Judy explained that dry conditions this year made prescribed burns difficult, limiting efforts to manage forest fuel loads. Tomorrow, with lower humidity expected, firefighters could again face dangerous flare-ups.
Despite the hardships, Judy praised the dedication of New Jersey’s forest firefighters, many of whom are part-timers who serve out of deep personal commitment.
Amato had warned state officials last year about the risk of large-scale fires. In January, he wrote a letter to other legislators.
Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), State Senator Carmen Amato Jr. (R-9), Assistant State Fire Warden Shawn Judy and Mayor Peter Curatolo. Judy discussed the need for updated equipment to fight fires. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
“I strongly believe elected officials have an obligation to assure residents that the state is ready to fight major wildfire events,” Amato wrote, referencing wildfires that devastated California.
Smith took Nosti to the side and spoke with him, offering his assistance. He said his office would gladly help with any work associated with processing the claim.
Smith and Amato acknowledged the traffic issues that arose when the Garden State Parkway and Route 9 were closed during the fire. In response to these long-standing concerns, Smith recently secured $6 million in federal funding to extend Railroad Avenue — a project designed to provide Lacey Township with an alternative route in case of emergencies that block the main corridors. The two legislators also agreed to explore additional projects to improve access to and from the area.
On the local level, Curatolo has been a constant source of support for Nosti and the community as a whole. He assisted those who needed to evacuate and continues to check on residents to ensure that any ongoing needs are met.
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