Jenna Bordelon
MEDIA DISTRICT NORTH -- A fire broke out above the rotisserie at Kenny
Rogers Roasters, forcing employees and customers to evacuate the
restaurant.
Firefighters were called in Monday afternoon to douse the blaze that
began in a duct above the chicken rotisserie at 1001 N. San Fernando
Blvd.
Capt. Bob Reinhardt said a buildup of grease caused the flames and
heavy smoke that caused about $5,000 damage to the structure and about
$15,000 damage to its contents.
He said the rotisserie has a chemical extinguisher that activates to
put out the flames. For some reason, the system never went into action,
he said.
Restaurant owner Ron Phillips said his employees reacted correctly.
"I've always told them never to call 911 unless it's an emergency," he
said with a shake of his head. "We hope to reopen in a few days."
Phillips donated many of the intact chickens to the fire department
for its work.
