ST. GEORGE — Patrons and diners were evacuated from the Painted Pony Restaurant New Years Eve as complaints of smoke and possible fire were reported to emergency dispatch and firefighters quickly responded to determine the cause.
Just after 5 p.m., the dispatch center received a call reporting the smell of smoke at The Painted Pony Restaurant located in Ancestry Square Thursday evening. The building was already being evacuated as firefighters responded to the scene, St. George Fire Department Captain Cody Chadburn said.
After an initial investigation, it was determined the smoke originated from a heater motor that burned out on the second floor of the building and quickly reached the third floor. Customers and staff in the restaurant became concerned and began leaving, Chadburn said.
After firefighters established where the smoke originated from and determined the building was safe, the customers and patrons of the restaurant were allowed back into the building, Chadburn said.
The interruption was brief, with no injuries reported. Damage was confined to the heater motor only.
St. George Police Department and St. George Fire Department responded to the scene.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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Firefighters conduct an investigation to determine the origin of smoke at the Painted Pony restaurant, 2 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah, Dec. 31, 2015|Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
The Painted Pony restaurant, 2 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah, Dec. 31, 2015|Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
The Painted Pony restaurant, 2 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah, Dec. 31, 2015|Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Firefighters conduct an investigation to determine the origin of smoke at the Painted Pony restaurant, 2 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah, Dec. 31, 2015|Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
The Painted Pony restaurant, located on the third floor, 2 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah, Dec. 31, 2015|Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
View from the side of the Painted Pony restaurant where smoke began filling the second floor, 2 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah, Dec. 31, 2015|Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Firefighters searched the building and determined it was safe to return to the Painted Pony restaurant. 2 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah, Dec. 31, 2015|Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Entrance to the building where smoke was detected at the Painted Pony restaurant, 2 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah, Dec. 31, 2015| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
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