MONROE - A fire Tuesday at Red Apple Inn restaurant in Monroe forced about 20 people to evacuate and caused extensive damage to the building, according to Deputy Fire Chief Lane Heins.
The fire, the cause of which hasn't been determined, was reported at about 1 p.m.
"There was a fire between the false ceiling and the roof," Heins said. "The business was filling up with smoke."
The fire began in the heating unit and worked down through the duct system.
"There was damage to the heating rooftop unit, the ventilation system and the ceiling," Heins said. "There was also water damage inside."
Despite the damage, the building wasn't a total loss.
Heins said the cause of the fire is under investigation and he had no damage estimate.
Firefighters responded to the scene at about 1 p.m. and remained until about 3:15 p.m. The Monroe Fire Department closed Eighth Street - the restaurant is located at 1019 Eighth St. - from Brennan's County Farm Market to Kwik Trip until about 2 p.m.
About 20 people were inside the building at the time of the fire but were quickly evacuated.
Heins praised firefighters and said they were able to get the fire under control quickly. He also said other city departments were involved.
"Power and light cut the power to the building and DPW (Department of Public Works) put up barricades."
Red Apple Inn has been in Monroe for about 25 years.
Green County Health Department Director RoAnn Warden said state inspectors will contact the owners to provide information about proper cleanup procedures. The restaurant will have to be inspected by the state before it can reopen.
The restaurant's owners declined to comment.
The fire, the cause of which hasn't been determined, was reported at about 1 p.m.
"There was a fire between the false ceiling and the roof," Heins said. "The business was filling up with smoke."
The fire began in the heating unit and worked down through the duct system.
"There was damage to the heating rooftop unit, the ventilation system and the ceiling," Heins said. "There was also water damage inside."
Despite the damage, the building wasn't a total loss.
Heins said the cause of the fire is under investigation and he had no damage estimate.
Firefighters responded to the scene at about 1 p.m. and remained until about 3:15 p.m. The Monroe Fire Department closed Eighth Street - the restaurant is located at 1019 Eighth St. - from Brennan's County Farm Market to Kwik Trip until about 2 p.m.
About 20 people were inside the building at the time of the fire but were quickly evacuated.
Heins praised firefighters and said they were able to get the fire under control quickly. He also said other city departments were involved.
"Power and light cut the power to the building and DPW (Department of Public Works) put up barricades."
Red Apple Inn has been in Monroe for about 25 years.
Green County Health Department Director RoAnn Warden said state inspectors will contact the owners to provide information about proper cleanup procedures. The restaurant will have to be inspected by the state before it can reopen.
The restaurant's owners declined to comment.