Deep Fryer Only Casualty in McDonalds Fire

It is reported that the fire was started in the deep fat fryer due to possible grease spilling outside the fryer.

Fire broke out at the Salem McDonalds on Hawthorne Avenue Friday afternoon, the store's deep fryer was destroyed. Photo courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM, Ore.) - Nobody was hurt when a fire broke out this afternoon at the McDonalds Restaurant located at 1598 Hawthorne Avenue NE in Salem. Customers and employees were evacuated from the building as three fire engines and several other rescue related vehicles rushed to the scene at 2:13 PM.

Fire Department Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says that when firefighters arrived on scene, they had smoke coming from the front of the restaurant and visible flames in the area of the deep fat fryer.

"The automatic extinguishing system did activate and was helping control of the fire, but the fire started to spread up the vent in the hood," Holmstrom said.

A second alarm was called at 2:24 pm bringing more fire fighters and equipment to the scene, but the second alarm was recalled before second alarm units arrived on scene.

Firefighters were able to enter the structure and extinguish the fire before it spread to the structure itself. The deep fat fryer was destroyed by the fire. There was smoke throughout the restaurant which fire fighters removes through the use ventilation fans and equipment.

The loss is estimated at $15,000 and those costs were incurred through the loss of contents, officials say the building itself was not damaged. No injuries were reported.

It is reported that the fire was started in the deep fat fryer due to possible grease spilling outside the fryer.