A popular Gloucester County restaurant was destroyed last night after a kitchen fire spread into the building's rafters, erupting into a three-alarm blaze, authorities said.
The fire "totally gutted" the TGI Fridays on the 5900 block of the Black Horse Pike in the Turnersville section, said Chief John Hoffman of the Washington Township Fire Deparment.
No diners, restaurant staff or firefighters were injured, Hoffman said.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 9:30 p.m.
As thick, black smoke poured through the rear restaurant door, a police officer evacuated more than 40 patrons from the restaurant.
Fire crews attempted to snake several hoses into the kitchen area but the fire had already spread above the restaurants sprinkler system, Hoffman said, and after 19 minutes, firefighters were ordered to withdraw.
"Fire had traveled into open spaces of the roof and quickly caused a collapse of the ceiling and roof into the building shortly after fire fighters exited," Hoffman said.
A third alarm was sounded at 10:09. Eventually 100 firefighters battled the blaze, Hoffman said. The fire was placed under control about 11:15 and firefighters remained on scene until after 2:30 a.m., Hoffman said.
The Washington Township Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the exact cause of the fire.
