Fire Department

A fire discovered underneath a water heater at a downtown restaurant was quickly extinguished by an employee late Thursday night.

Engine Company 1 responded to Casa de Lara on the 300 block of State Street after the owner reported there had been a fire there. Employees were closing up for the night when the fire was discovered, and no customers were inside the restaurant at the time.

The restaurant owner reported she discovered the fire when she opened the door to a storage room. After putting out the fire with water, she unplugged the water heater and awaited firefighters’ response.

Other than a few scorch marks, there was no additional damage, and firefighters confirmed the fire was out.