A two-alarm fire at Hilton Head Grill shut down several businesses Thursday morning at Cross Country Plaza on Macon Road.
The blaze, which started just after 8 a.m., was quickly brought under control, but several businesses sustained smoke and water damage.
Hilton Head Grill was a soggy mess Thursday afternoon. Fire hoses still snaked near the entrance, and firefighters swept damp debris out the front door of the business.
Jeff Meyer, assistant fire chief for the Columbus Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, said firefighters would remain at the strip mall overnight, pumping water out of the restaurant so they can determine the cause.
Meyer said the fire appeared to have started in the restaurant office.
Fire and EMS Chief Roy Waters was at the scene for several hours Thursday. He said he was relieved that the damage wasn't even more extensive.
At least 40 firefighters were at the shopping center during the day.
About a dozen businesses were without electricity for much of the morning. By mid-afternoon, the businesses farthest away from Hilton Head had power restored.
Because the fire started before most of the businesses opened, no one was injured, Waters said.
Deorio's, Tog Shop, Dollar Tree cope with damage.
