Quick Action, Fire Suppression System Contain Blaze at AJ’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill
SOUTHSIDE – A potential disaster was averted Friday afternoon when a kitchen fire broke out at AJ’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill on Highway 77.
According to the Southside Fire Department, a 911 call reporting the fire came in at 4:29 p.m. Southside and Rainbow City fire units were dispatched within a minute and the first crew arrived on scene at 4:32 p.m.
When firefighters arrived, the blaze was already out thanks to the restaurant’s staff and the building’s hood fire suppression system, which automatically shut off the gas and electrical equipment in the kitchen.
The fire caused only minor damage, but the kitchen will remain closed until cleanup is complete and the suppression system is reset.
Southside Fire Chief officials emphasized the importance of having proper fire safety systems and training in place.
“Even though a fire did occur, it would have been much worse had the systems and procedures not been in place,” the department noted.
No injuries were reported.
The Southside Police Department, Whorton Bend Volunteer Fire Department, and Etowah County 911 also assisted with the response. Fire officials highlighted that, with the county’s new system, emergency units were notified within 31 seconds of the initial call.
