Grease Fire Causes Evacuation At Gwinnett IHOP

DULTUTH, GA -- A Gwinnett County IHOP had to be evacuated Tuesday after a grease fire started while maintenance was being performed on one of the two fryers inside the kitchen, according to Gwinnett County Fire Department. There were no reported injuries.

Firefighters responded at 11:38 a.m. to a report of a business fire at the 2100 block of Pleasant Hill Road NW in unincorporated Duluth. The caller to 911 reported that there were flames in the kitchen.

The first arriving units reported seeing heavy brown smoke coming from the roof and large flames inside. Despite a successful knockdown of the fire in the kitchen, it had already extended up into the attic and onto the roof. Two aerial ladders were put into operation to provide fire personnel safe roof access. Saws were used to cut open portions of the roof and provide ventilation. Searches conducted confirmed that everyone had safely evacuated the building. The blaze was extinguished within 20 minutes.

A part of this process of maintenance included heating the grease inside of the fryer. The temperature of the grease reached unexpected levels and ignited. Employees used a dry chemical fire extinguisher to put the initial fire out. Unfortunately the temperature of the grease was too hot and the flames reignited. Employees of the business immediately evacuated the building.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the kitchen, duct system, attic, and roof. While the fire damage is extensive to these areas, only heavy smoke damage exists inside the rest of the structure. Positive pressure fans were used to push residual smoke out of the building. Crews remained on scene until the utilities were secured and then turned the business back over to management.

Equipment on scene included: 7-Engines, 2-Trucks, 1-Squad, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Air and Light Unit, 1-Special Response Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-District Commander, and 1-Medical Supervisor.