PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) – Firefighters from multiple companies were dispatched to a fire yesterday around 11:26 a.m. to Lily’s Restaurant in Punxsutawney.
(Photo by Larry McGuire Rembowski)
Sources say the fire started during the busy lunch hour when a small explosion on the grill sent flames up into the duct work above, catching the grease on fire. Flames blew out through the fan on the roof and extended into the walls of the building.
According to Josh Wacob, Punxsutawney Fire Department chief, firefighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly and keep it contained to the kitchen area.
Punxsutawney’s three fire companies – Central, Elk Run, and Lindsey – were all on scene, with Lindsey’s Engine 40 serving as the lead engine in fighting the blaze.
Also on the scene were Tower 40, Rescue 20, Rescue 40, Punxsutawney Borough Police, and Jefferson County EMS.
Big Run Volunteer Fire Company was on standby at Station 17 in Big Run.
One of the employees at the restaurant was injured in the fire.
The severity of the injuries is not known.
No other injuries were reported.
Lily’s Restaurant is expected to re-open today at the regular time.
For more photos, visit Punxsutawney Fire Department’s Facebook page.