LACEY - A driver captured video of three cars ablaze at Caffrey's Tavern on Route 9 in the Forked River section on Thursday evening. 

In the short clip, the vehicles can be seen in flames amid heavy smoke in the restaurant’s parking lot next to a utility pole. 

The incident was caused by a transformer fire that erupted Thursday night, said Lacey Township Police Lt. Paul Sullivan. 

Officers responded to a report of the fire at 6:56 p.m. and were at the scene for about four hours, Sullivan said. 

No injuries were reported, police said.

The fire occurred around the same time that major thunderstorms were moving through the area. 

The Forked River Fire Department extinguished the blaze, according to officials. 

Workers from the state Department of Transportation controlled traffic on the road while JCP&L repaired the downed wires from the pole, Sullivan said. 

Nicolas Fernandes is the early morning breaking news reporter. A lifelong New Jersey resident, he has previously worked as a features writer and sports reporter. Contact him at 732-540-4401 or nfernandes@gannettnj.com