MANHATTAN, IL — A fire broke out in the kitchen of Midtown Bar and Grill in downtown Manhattan early Monday morning, Manhattan Fire Protection District officials said.
At approximately 6:30 a.m., the Manhattan Fire Protection District (MFPD) was dispatched to the 100 block of State St. in downtown Manhattan for a reported fire in a single-story strip mall.
First arriving units encountered heavy smoke and a kitchen fire in Midtown Bar & Grill, 100 S. State St. Crews quickly extinguished the fire and began searches and ventilation to remove the smoke.
Fire control was achieved at approximately 6:45 a.m. Crews then conducted an extensive overhaul to ensure all remaining hot spots were extinguished. The adjoining units did not sustain any fire damage.
The damage was mostly contained to the kitchen, Manhattan Fire Protection District Chief Steve Malone said.
All occupants safely evacuated the building, and no injuries were reported by civilians or firefighters.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and is under investigation by the Manhattan Fire Protection District and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
The business is closed temporarily while officials investigate.
Mutual aid was provided on scene by New Lenox, East Joliet, and Wilmington. Manhattan Fire stations were backfilled by Monee and Mokena Fire Districts to cover additional calls for service during the incident.