Fire Heavily Damages Manchester Restaurant, Bar, Police Say

MANCHESTER, NJ — A pair of Manchester Township businesses were left uninhabitable after a fire ripped through them on Saturday, Manchester police said.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit and Whiting Bar and Spirits in the Whiting Town Center at 108 Lacey Road are closed indefinitely as a result of the fire reported just before 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Manchester Capt. Albert Vega said.

There were no injuries reported, he said.

Callers reported smoke coming from the ceiling and police found heavy smoke and flames coming from the side of the building, Vega said.

Dickey’s and Whiting Bar & Spirits were evacuated along with several nearby businesses as a precaution, he said. The surrounding businesses were later determined not to be affected by the fire, Vega said.

Firefighters from multiple area fire departments responded "conducted an aggressive, coordinated fire suppression effort" that brought the fire under control and kept it from spreading farther, he said.

The fire is believed to be accidental, caused by an electrical malfunction, he said. The Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office and Manchester Detective Thomas Chant are investigating.

Responding fire departments included the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company, Manchester Volunteer Fire Company, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Department, New Egypt Volunteer Fire Company, Forked River Volunteer Fire Company, Bayville Volunteer Fire Company, Pinewald Pioneer Volunteer Fire Company, and the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Fire Department. Emergency medical technicians from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services also assisted.

Jersey Central Power & Light, New Jersey Natural Gas, the Manchester Utilities Authority, and the Manchester Township Building Inspector also responded, Vega said.

"The Manchester Township Police Department would like to thank all fire, EMS, county, utility, and township personnel who responded for their swift, coordinated efforts and assistance during this incident," Vega said.