The fire that destroyed three Brighton Avenue building originated in the West End Dance Academy, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.
The prosectutor's office has been investigating the fire along with the Long Branch Fire Marshal since it occurred on Monday.
First Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said the area of origin is located on the right side of the structure below the first floor between the floor joists' center structure.
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The fire, which took several hours to extinguish, started in the West End Dance Academy, at 63 Brighton Ave., before spreading to three buildings to the west.
Gramiccioni said the ignition source is undetermined and that "investigators are unable to rule out an electrical malfunction/failure as the cause of this fire."
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He said that although the precise cause cannot be determined at this time, the prosecutor's office does not believe the fire to be suspicious in nature.
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