Duct Work Above Mall Food Court Catches Fire

Update,12:20 p.m.,

According to assistant fire chief Scott Graham, the fire started in or near the duct work above Texas Barbeque and Grill in the food court. There is extensive damage to the roof above the business, as well as minor damage to Texas Barbeque. The food court grill, as well as two adjacent business in the food court will be closed for the day, but the rest of the mall is open.

Original story:

A fire in the duct work above the food court area of the Westfield Wheaton mall this morning has been brought under control.

According to Capt. Oscar Garcia, spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, firefighters responded to a call at 7:19 a.m. at the mall address. Firefighters did see smoke upon arriving and  the two alarm fire took about 40 minutes to get under control.  Parts of the roof above the ducts were affected. 

Garcia said that the food court area of the mall was likely to be affected for the rest of the day, but was unsure about the rest of the structure. Investigators are working to determine how the fire started.