Firefighters quickly extinguish blaze at Cedar City restaurant

Written by Jeff Richards
July 23, 2023

CEDAR CITY — Firefighters extinguished a fire at the Top Spot fast food restaurant on Saturday afternoon.

Flames and smoke emanate from roof of Top Spot restaurant, Cedar City, Utah, July 22, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Jennifer Young, St. George News / Cedar City News

Cedar City Fire Chief Mike Phillips said shortly before 2 p.m., dispatchers received a report of a fire at the restaurant, located at 650 S. Main Street.

Photos and video clips from bystanders show flames shooting up from the rooftop, along with billowing black smoke.

The blaze appears to have originated inside a fume hood in the kitchen area, Phillips said.

“We’re thinking it was inside of the hood. It burned up through the top,” Phillips said. “It didn’t actually burn the structure, just the inside of the metal ducting.”

All customers and employees were safely evacuated from the building and no injuries were reported, Phillips said.

A total of 20 Cedar City Fire Department personnel responded, including the crews assigned to two fire engines, one ladder truck and a heavy rescue truck.

“Really, it’s having that staffing at the station ready so they can leave immediately,” Phillips said. “By getting that first edge, it really makes a difference in the outcome.”

Phillips said although there was smoke and water damage to the interior of the building, the damage to the structure itself was relatively minor.

“We did have to pull the ceiling down and make sure it hadn’t gotten in that attic space,” Phillips added.

Traffic along Main Street was impacted for nearly an hour, including closure of the southbound right lane nearest the store. Cedar City Police officers assisted with traffic control at the scene.

This report is based on information provided by fire officials and may not contain the full scope of findings. 

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons and one granddaughter. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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