GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — No one was hurt after a fryer caught fire at Grand Rapids Brewing Company Friday afternoon, causing flames and heavy black smoke to fill the air and streets below with smoke.
Michele Ary, the Brand Manager of BarFly, which is the parent company of Grand Rapids Brewing told 13 ON YOUR SIDE said the fryer in the basement caught on fire and it went up through the hood system which goes up to the roof.
This happened around 4 p.m.
Staff at HopCat then saw smoke coming into their hood systems, so they too evacuated and opened up their windows.
After numerous calls to 911, the Grand Rapids Fire Department rushed to the corner of Fulton and Ionia, getting about 40 fire personnel on the scene within 12 minutes.
Brad Brown, The Grand Rapids Fire Chief, said it was a two-alarm fire.
"First crew arrived on scene with heavy black smoke coming from the roof. Upon further investigation, we had heavy flames and smoke in the basement," Brown said.
After about 20 minutes from the 911 call to crews arriving on scene, they put the flames out.
"Really proud of how the Grand Rapids Fire Department can assemble and efficiently operate. We had crews in the basement. Crews on the outside. Crews on the roof all within a matter of minutes."
No one was hurt.
Now crews are making sure there are no hotspots. The area of Fulton and Ionia will remain closed until crews clear the scene.
As far as damage is considered inside Grand Rapids Brewing Company, the chief said the structure itself is solid but water damage is apparent.
"The sprinkler system did its job. That's why everyone was able to safely evacuate," Brown said.
The fire investigator will be on the scene for the next few hours.
Grand Rapids Brewing Company will be closed for the rest of Friday, and hope to have an update on when they can continue service in the future.
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