Small fire starts in kitchen of downtown Cape business

A fire that began in the kitchen at a downtown Cape Girardeau business caused only minor damage Tuesday morning but will cause the facility to shut down for a short time.

Cape Girardeau firefighters responded to The Billiard Center, 26 N. Main St., around 10:10 a.m. after an employee called in to report a fire.

Capt. Randy Morris of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department said the employee reported that the fire began after she turned on a flat pan grill in the kitchen to let it heat up and left the kitchen for a brief period. When she returned, the stovetop was on fire. The employee was able to put it out with a fire extinguisher, Morris said.

The fire was likely caused by grease buildup on equipment, according to the fire department. Morris said damage to the equipment was minor and that the business could likely reopen within a day following an inspection by the health department.

Pertinent address:

26 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO