MANHATTAN, IL — Cooking oil-soaked rags that spontaneously ignited inside the kitchen of Midtown Bar & Grill early Monday have been pinpointed as the cause of a fire that has closed the business temporarily, Manhattan fire officials said Tuesday.
Manhattan firefighters were called around 6:30 a.m. Monday to 100 S. State St., for a reported fire in a single-story strip mall. Crews encountered heavy smoke and a kitchen fire at Midtown Bar & Grill. Crews extinguished the blaze within 15 minutes, then making sure all hotspots were out. The damage was contained mostly to the kitchen, Manhattan Fire Protection District Chief Steve Malone said.
An investigation into the source was led by Manhattan Fire Protection District Fire Investigators, with assistance from the New Lenox Fire Protection District Fire Investigators, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The cause of the fire was identified as the improper storage of oil-soaked rags, which led to “spontaneous heating and ignition,” the Manhattan Fire Protection District said.
Investigators found that rags used with cooking oils were stored in a way that “allowed heat to build up as the oil oxidized.” When oily rags are left piled together or placed in combustible containers, they can ignite without any external flame or spark, fire officials said.
The fire was ruled accidental in nature.
“This incident serves as an important reminder that everyday materials, like oil-soaked rags, can pose a serious fire hazard if they are not handled and stored properly,” said Fire Marshal Dave Kolosh.
“These fires are entirely preventable, and simple storage practices can make a significant difference in keeping our businesses and community safe.”
Neighboring units sustained smoke damage from the blaze.
Midtown Bar & Grill owner Kevin Schuster on social media Monday thanked the community for its support.
“Huge thank you to the Manhattan Police Department and Manhattan Fire Department for their fast response, and thank you to our community for the overwhelming support and messages—it truly means everything to us,” Schuster wrote. “We look forward to opening back up very soon.”
The Manhattan Fire Protection District encourages both residents and business owners to ensure that oily rags are always stored in approved metal containers with tight-fitting lids or otherwise handled in a way that prevents heat buildup, officials said in a release. Proper housekeeping and disposal practices are a critical part of fire prevention in any setting where oils or oil-based products are used.
For additional fire safety information or questions regarding the proper storage of combustible materials, residents and business owners are encouraged to contact the Manhattan Fire Protection District.