MATTHEWS, N.C.
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Fire investigators said a fire that heavily damaged a Wendy's restaurant in Matthews was caused by an exhaust fan in the back of the restaurant.
Several customers were inside the restaurant when the fire started around 9 p.m Saturday on Independence Boulevard and Mathews-Mint Hill Road.
A Matthews police officer was nearby and rushed inside to help evacuate everyone from the restaurant.
More than 40 firefighters from several different fire departments responded to the scene.
Jerry Jernigan was driving home on Independence Boulevard when he noticed the fire. He shared cell phone video with Eyewitness News that captured flames shooting from the roof.
Jernigan said the flames were intense. "You could feel the heat from across the street," he said.
Jernigan said it looked like a small fire near the front of the restaurant. He said the building was engulfed in flames within minutes.
Independence Boulevard was shut down for about two hours. Matthews-Mint Hill Road remained closed late Saturday night.
Idlewild, Stallings, Matthews, Mint Hill and Charlotte firefighters all assisted in battling the fire.
No one was injured.
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