Asheville, North Carolina

Ryan's Family Steak House evacuated after fire
February 5, 2010

ASHEVILLE — Grease build-up in ductwork appears to have sparked a fire that caused the evacuation of a Patton Avenue restaurant Friday evening, according to fire officials.

No one was hurt in the incident at Ryan’s Family Steak House, according to Carlton Denning, division chief operations for the Asheville Fire Department.

Denning said there didn’t appear to be any damage to the interior of the restaurant.

“It was a quick knockdown,” he said.

Restaurant staff evacuated the restaurant after the alarm went off, according to Denning. “They did a great job,” he said.

The fire department did a secondary search once firefighters arrived.

Denning said firefighters have responded to this type of restaurant fire before. It occurs when grease builds up in the ducts.

An employee at the restaurant referred questions to the restaurant’s corporate office.