Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Minor fire prompts evacuation at Hadley restaurant

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

HADLEY - Two Applebee's patrons were taken to the hospital Thursday night after a fire broke out in the restaurant's kitchen, police said.

According to Fire Capt. Michael Spanknebel, firefighters responding to the scene at approximately 9 p.m. determined the fire was caused by a malfunctioning dryer that had ignited several towels.

The heaviest smoke was contained to the kitchen area, Spanknebel said, but light smoke entering the dining room prompted the restaurant to be evacuated. The patrons were transported to Cooley Dickinson Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

A manager said this was the first time the restaurant has had a problem with the dryer and employees are looking into what caused the towels to ignite.

Although the fire didn't cause damage to the building or kitchen appliances, it forced the restaurant to close an hour early Thursday and customers were not charged for their meals, a manager said.

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