LITTLE ROCK — UPDATE:
A popular restaurant in west Little Rock is cleaning up after a fire early Wednesday afternoon.
Little Rock Fire Department Capt. Randy Davenport said the blaze at Ya Ya's Euro Bistro in the Promenade at Chenal shopping center appears to have started in an exhaust system and then spread to the roof.
The restaurant burns wood for some of its cooking, Davenport said.
"And anytime you burn wood, it's just like your fireplace at home," he said. "If it's not cleaned properly, it will ignite."
Crews had to cut a large hole in the roof to extinguish the flames, which were doused before they caused any structural damage. But he said smoke and heat damage were present throughout the restaurant, adding it may take a week before it can reopen. Davenport estimated the damage between $5,000 and $10,000.
Restaurant workers and customers evacuated safely and no injuries were reported.
"That's our main concern is anyone getting injured, anyone getting hurt or trapped," Davenport said. "They did the right thing. They smelled the smoke, they looked up and saw the fire and they got everyone out of the structure. That's exactly what they should do."
EARLIER:
The Little Rock Fire Department worked a fire at a restaurant in the western part of the city.
LRFD spokesman Capt. Randy Hickmon said the fire at Ya Ya's Euro Bistro, 17711 Chenal Parkway, was to be a kitchen-oriented blaze, possibly a grease fire.
LRFD successfully extinguished the fire around 1:15 p.m.. However, officials confirm the fire spread to the roof, leaving a large hole in it, among other damages.
The restaurant was evacuated at there were no reported injuries.