At about 11:30 p.m. on Friday several passing motorists stopped at the Merrimack Central Fire Station to report smoke coming from Mr. G Pizza at 388 Daniel Webster Highway.
At the same time, Merrimack Emergency communications received a call reporting the fire.
Engine 1 arrived on scene two minutes after being dispatched and reported heavy smoke coming from the building.
Upon gaining entry in the building, firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions in the kitchen area of the restaurant.
During the course of fighting the fire, parts of the ceilings were falling on the firefighters and crews were ordered out of the building due to the possibility of a roof collapse.
A second alarm was called at 12:03 a.m., bringing crews and equipment from Manchester and Nashua.
A third alarm was called shortly after bringing Amherst and Bedford crews to the scene with Hollis, Hudson and Litchfield fire departments covering the Merrimack stations.
The fire was declared under control at 1:21 a.m. with most equipment clear of the scene by 3 a.m. The building suffered extensive structural damage and will most likely have to be demolished for safety reasons.
There were no injuries reported and damage estimates are unavailable at this time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A total of 50 firefighters, manning seven engines, two ladders, two ambulances and one rescue unit responded to the scene.
Merrimack police also closed the D.W. Highway and the Salvation Army assisted at the scene, providing rehabilitation supplies to emergency personnel.
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