Kitchen Fire Forces Temporary Closing Of Midtown Bar & Grill: Manhattan Fire

MANHATTAN, IL — A fire broke out in the kitchen of Midtown Bar and Grill in downtown Manhattan early Monday morning, Manhattan Fire Protection District officials said.

At approximately 6:30 a.m., the Manhattan Fire Protection District (MFPD) was dispatched to the 100 block of State St. in downtown Manhattan for a reported fire in a single-story strip mall.

First arriving units encountered heavy smoke and a kitchen fire in Midtown Bar & Grill, 100 S. State St. Crews quickly extinguished the fire and began searches and ventilation to remove the smoke. Fire control was achieved at approximately 6:45 a.m., fire officials said. Crews then conducted an extensive overhaul to ensure all remaining hot spots were extinguished. The adjoining units did not sustain any fire damage.

The damage was mostly contained to the kitchen of Midtown Bar & Grill, Manhattan Fire Protection District Chief Steve Malone said.

All occupants safely evacuated the building, and no injuries were reported by civilians or firefighters.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and is under investigation by the Manhattan Fire Protection District and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The business is closed temporarily while officials investigate.

"Huge thank you to the Manhattan Police Department and Manhattan Fire Department for their fast response, and thank you to our community for the overwhelming support and messages—it truly means everything to us," owner Kevin Schuster shared on social media. "We look forward to opening back up very soon."