FORKED RIVER – The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office announced via Nixle alert that Route 9 has been reopened south of Lacey Road following the fire that destroyed Caffrey’s restaurant earlier today.

Caffrey’s, located at 440 Route 9 South, suffered a three-alarm fire earlier today. Beginning in the morning and raging on throughout the afternoon, the structure appears to be completely destroyed.

Route 9 was closed during the day between Beach Boulevard and Salters Lane while crews from Lacey Police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office worked to put out the fire.

Donations of beverages and snacks were given to crews at the scene courtesy of the Lacey Wawa located next to Caffrey’s, according to social media posts.

Any displaced Caffrey’s employees have been invited to apply to other establishments such as the Toms River Spot, Social 37 and Acme Draft House by locals via social media.

“Thank you everybody for the kind wishes, no one was harmed in the incident, we will be shutting down our Facebook page until further notice,” stated Caffrey’s.

Kimberly Bosco, Jennifer Peacock and Jason Allentoff contributed to this report.

Original report:

FORKED RIVER – A three-alarm fire consumed a popular restaurant Wednesday morning.

Emergency crews at this time are still battling a fire that ravaged Caffrey’s Tavern, located at 440 Route 9 South.

Smoke was seen pouring from the building’s roof this morning. By mid-morning, the back and roof of the restaurant appeared completely destroyed, according to eyewitness accounts.

Route 9 between Beach Boulevard and Salters Lane is closed. Motorists should find alternate routes until further notice.

Photos and videos from the scene show smoke pouring out of the restaurant and can be seen for several miles. Ocean County Scanner News was the first to report it.

Crews from at least four fire departments, as well as Lacey Police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, are at the scene. A formal investigation is pending.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department confirmed there were no injuries.

The owners of Caffrey’s took to Facebook saying “thank you everybody for the kind wishes. No one was harmed in the incident. We will be shutting down our Facebook page until further notice.”