PHOTOS, VIDEO: Little Rock restaurant sustains heavy damage in fire

Little Rock firefighters work to put out a blaze at Ozark Country Restaurant, 202 Keightley Drive, on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
Little Rock firefighters work to put out a blaze at Ozark Country Restaurant, 202 Keightley Drive, on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

A Little Rock restaurant was damaged in a fire Tuesday afternoon.

According to Capt. Jason Weaver of the city's Fire Department, crews were called shortly after noon to Ozark Country Restaurant, 201 Keightley Drive. The initial report was that flames were coming through the eatery's roof and nearby tress were on fire, Weaver said.

No injuries were reported, as the restaurant was already evacuated, according to the spokesman.

By 1 p.m., the bulk of the flames was extinguished. Weaver added that the cause had not been determined yet but witnesses said the fire appeared to have started in the back of the eatery.

Nolan Young, a cook at the restaurant for going on a month, said the business was preparing to close for the day at its normal time, 1 p.m. He said he turned the grill off and went out to empty the trash. He went back inside and was mopping up when the owner saw smoke on the back deck.

The fire moved rapidly, Young added, catching a couple of tall trees behind the business on fire.

The business was previously known as as Ozark Mountain Smokehouse. It has been located at that address for decades.

Firefighters remained on scene shortly before 2 p.m. — some still putting out hot spots on the building’s east side while others packed up gear.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter Linda Satter contributed to this story.

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