Crime & Safety

Discarded Cigarette Causes Fire that Closes Fuddruckers

Blaze reportedly started in the mulch of a flower bed outside the building.

A discarded cigarette started a fire that has closed Fuddruckers restaurant, authorities said.

Firefighters found heavy smoke inside a walk-in refrigerator and a "moderate" fire inside walls and the ceiling of the building Sunday at about 4 p.m., said Steven Toth, fire commissioner. 

Fire crews had to open interior and exterior walls to battle the blaze, Toth said. 

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All "visible flames" were knocked down 30 minutes after firefighters arrived on scene.

Officials from the Wayne Fire Investigation Bureau determined that a lit cigarette discarded in the mulch of a flowerbed outside the building caused the fire, Toth said.

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The fire caught hold of Styrofoam, which was used a backing for part of the building's exterior, traveeled up the wall, and moved to the wood beams in the ceiling and window openings, Toth said. 

The restaurant has been closed until proper repairs can be made and inspected by town officials. 

There were no injuries reported. Fire Companies 2 and 5, and the Wayne First Aid Squad responded to the blaze. Representatives from the building department and the health department also responded.

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.


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