Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Warsaw Fire Department put out a fire at Hacienda Mexican Restaurant at 2:45 a.m. today before the blaze could get out of hand.
According to a fire department spokesman, a crew had been cleaning the stove hood system in the building on Lake City Highway from 11 p.m. until shortly before the time of the fire call. The crew reportedly noticed an odor and a haze in the building.
The manager was called first and then the corporation before deciding to call the fire department.
Firefighters could not determine where the smoke was coming from until they used heat guns and thermal imaging helmets. The fire was detected behind the wall of a cooker.
Firefighters had to open the wall on the east side of the building. The fire was contained to where it started. Insulation and some wall damage occurred and there was smoke damage in the building.
Officials estimate the damage to be around $15,000. Twelve men worked the scene.
Hacienda is expected to be closed down for a few days until the health department inspects and approves the facilities for re-opening.
Officials are not sure what caused the blaze and the investigation will continue. It is believed that the fire occurred over a period of time and not just overnight and is because of a transfer of heat from the stainless steel cooker to the insulation.
