No Injuries in Fire at Chicken Pollo

Updated: 12:13 a.m. Saturday, July 23

A small duct fire at in Annandale late Friday night has temporarily closed the Peruvian dining restaurant.

According to Battalion Chief Brian Rooney with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue department, the owners of were closing down for the night when they noticed sparks in duct. Units arrived on scene at 9:27 p.m., found smoke inside the restaurant and flames inside. Upon further investigation, firefighters verified there was a fire inside the duct. Rooney estimates there were about four people inside and a couple of customers, but said everyone left the restaurant safely.

Once the fire was out, firefighters worked to extinguish any and all concealed fires on the roof. Rooney said it took a total of 30 minutes to get the situation under control. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.

Fairfax County police blocked off right lane of Annandale Road and the right lane of Little River Turnpike Rt. 236 east, causing traffic to slow and back up to John Marr Drive.

A crowd of people gathered around to watch the firemen work atop the ceiling of Chicken Pollo and a worker who was in the restaurant at the time of the fire declined to comment.

Rooney said the estimated damage is approximately $50,000 and the restaurant will remain closed until they are certified to open by the Fairfax County Health Department.