Fire at McDonald’s on Route 460 in Roanoke

WSLS News Staff
Published: August 5, 2008

Updated 5:00 p.m.

Roanoke City Fire-EMS estimates damages to the McDonalds at $100,000.  The McDonalds is expected to be closed for several weeks.

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Updated 9:13 a.m

Firefighters believe the flames sparked when a vats of cooking oil boiled over, around 7:45 a.m.  Workers tell firefighters that they were filtering the cooking oil, when the accident happened.  The employees say they tried to shut off the gas, but were not able to.

A fire suppression system did go off, but did not stop the fire before it had gotten to the roof.  When firefighters arrived, they saw smoke and flames.  Firefighters had the flames under control by 8:15 a.m.

The resaturant is closed, and firefighters do not know how long it will be before the McDonalds re-opens.  The Fire Marshal’s office is still adding up estimated damages.

Firefighters say there were 12 employees and three customers inside when the fire started.  All escaped without being hurt.

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Updated 8:36 a.m.

Crews say the fire is out and they are cleaning up the scene.

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Roanoke Fire EMS crews tell 10 On Your Side that they are working a fire at the McDonald’s Restaurant on Route 460/Orange Avenue and King Street in Roanoke.

We have a crew on the scene. Stay tuned to WSLS 10 On Your Side and http://www.wsls.com for updates.