A Hastings Sonic manager put out a fire Sunday.
According to a news release at just after 6:45 a.m. on Sunday March 5, Hastings Fire & Rescue responded to a report of a fire at Sonic, 928 South Burlington Avenue in Hastings, Nebraska.
Upon arrival, crews met with the restaurant manager who believed she had the fire extinguished with their kitchen fire extinguisher. Crews thoroughly checked the interior of the building and the rooftop for any remaining fire and found none.
No injuries were reported.
This fire was related to the fryer, similar to the Wal-Mart incident a few weeks ago. Although no lasting damage was immediately evident, Hastings Fire & Rescue personnel are assisting in guiding the restaurant through the necessary inspections and processes to reopen following the fire.
Sonic’s hood cleaning company will also inspect and clean the restaurant’s ductwork before reopening. Also, because an extinguisher was discharged around food, a health
inspector visit is also required before reopening.
This being the second commercial kitchen fire in under a month, Hastings Fire Marshal Anthony Murphy would like to remind all restaurants and mobile food vendors of the importance of having the appropriately maintained extinguishers, extinguishing systems, and quality hood cleaning inspections.
Having properly maintained equipment and employees trained prior to any emergency has kept these last two commercial kitchen fires from becoming extreme emergencies with extended business closures due to damage.
For those interested, Hastings Fire & Rescue has available a self-inspection checklist for mobile food vendors.
Restaurant and mobile food vendors in Hastings with questions on how to accomplish the above items to keep businesses safe and resilient can contact Fire Marshal Anthony Murphy at 402-462-7155.