Chilli's, Tom's River, NJ USA Grease Fire

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Chili's in Toms River re-opens after Thursday fire

 

TOMS RIVER — Chili's Restaurant at 1315 Hooper Ave. was closed down Thursday after a morning fire in a deep fat fryer, said Chief John F. Lightbody of the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention.

The restaurant reopened Friday after being cited by the bureau with multiple fire
code violations for imminent hazards, Lightbody said.

The fire suppression system in the kitchen hood engaged but some of the sprinklers failed to operate properly because they were clogged with grease, Lightbody said.

A Chili's employee used an extinguisher to put out the remaining flames. Firefighters were dispatched automatically by the activation of the system. The fire was out when the Toms River Fire Company 1 and 2 responded.

The fryer had caught fire once before, Lightbody said.

The fire Thursday damaged the range hood and there was water damage to the lights and the extinguishing system had to be replenished before the restaurant could reopen, Lightbody said.

Kevin Esposito and Assistant Chief James Mercready are investigating.

Margaret F. Bonafide (732) 557-5740 or bonafide@app.com