Firefighters Battle Blaze At Chili's Restaurant, Roads Closed
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (CBS4) - A two-alarm response was called for a fire at a Chili's restaurant on Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters with South Metro Fire and Rescue assisted Littleton Fire Rescue with the blaze at University Boulevard and County Line Road.
University is now closed both directions between County Line and C-470 due to heavy smoke and firefighting operations. pic.twitter.com/vz1A7Cpz9w
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) December 27, 2016
Both directions of University had to be closed due to heavy smoke conditions.
It appears there was a partial roof collapse as restaurant patrons raced to get out. Approximately 40 patrons and 15 employees managed to get out safely.
The flames were first spotted by a construction crew working on the roof of the building. Workers attempted to put out the fire with a small extinguisher but it wasn't enough to battle the flames.
"There were flames coming on the roof, out of the front door, out all of the windows -- everywhere," witness Traci Klumb said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.