A fire that broke out Saturday afternoon at a commercial building on Lacey Road in Manchested prompted the evacuation of multiple businesses and caused significant damage, authorities said.

According to the Manchester Township Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:25 p.m. on February 7, 2026, to a report of smoke coming from the ceiling at Dickey’s Barbeque Pit – Whiting, located at 108 Lacey Road in Manchester Township.

When officers arrived, they observed active flames and heavy smoke venting from the side of the building. Police immediately evacuated all occupants from Dickey’s Barbeque Pit and the neighboring Whiting Bar & Spirits, as well as several nearby businesses, as a precaution.

Authorities later determined that the surrounding businesses were not affected by the fire.

Firefighters from multiple area departments responded within minutes and launched a coordinated fire suppression effort that brought the blaze under control and prevented it from spreading further. Responding agencies included the Whiting, Manchester, Ridgeway, Lakehurst, New Egypt, Forked River, Bayville, and Pinewald Pioneer volunteer fire companies, along with the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Fire Department.

EMTs from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services also assisted at the scene.

Additional support was provided by Jersey Central Power & Light, New Jersey Natural Gas, the Manchester Utilities Authority, and the township’s building inspector.

As a result of the fire, both Dickey’s Barbeque Pit and Whiting Bar & Spirits sustained significant damage and were deemed unsafe for occupancy.

No injuries were reported.

The incident is being investigated by the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office in conjunction with Detective Thomas Chant of the Manchester Township Police Department’s Investigations Bureau. Officials said the fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by an electrical malfunction.