Fire forces closure of Cedar Rapids McDonald's restaurant

Lunch-time service was interrupted when a fire broke out inside a McDonald's restaurant Friday.

Firefighters responded around 11:05 a.m. to the restaurant at 5200 Edgewood Rd. NE. By the time they arrived, the fire already had been extinguished and the building was evacuated.

Cedar Rapds Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said employees discovered flames coming from the back of a deep-fat fryer. He said they threw some flour on the fire, unplugged the machine and pulled it away from the wall.

"They minimized any fire damage," Buelow said. "The employees did a really nice job with this thing."

Eighteen employees and about five customers were inside when the fire broke out. No one was injured, and damage was confined to the fryer, Buelow said. It had been cooking fish patties at the time, he said.

An initial investigation indicated the fryer may have had an electrical malfunction, causing the fire, Buelow said. He said the flames did not appear to ignite any grease.

"It could have been a lot worse," Buelow said.

Firefighters used fans to ventilate smoke inside the restaurant.

Buelow said the restaurant would be closed until public health officials conducted an inspection. It remained closed at 12:15 p.m.

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