A fire that damaged a north Columbus Sonic Drive-In earlier this month caused an estimated $200,000 in property damage and has shuttered the restaurant, according to a Columbus Division of Fire incident report.
Fire crews were dispatched around 8:11 a.m. May 2 to the Sonic at 3250 Olentangy River Road after the restaurant manager arrived and smelled smoke coming from inside the building, according to the report.
Because the manager’s key card would not work and the exterior doors were locked, firefighters forced entry through a door on the rear side of the building, the report states.
Once inside, crews found evidence that a fire had burned in the kitchen area overnight, according to the report. One kitchen wall was heavily charred, ceiling tiles had fallen, and roof trusses were burned through in three places. Firefighters also found a ruptured water line.
The report states there was little smoke visible upon entry and no active fire after crews gained access. The highest temperature reading inside the ceiling was about 100 degrees, according to the report.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined after investigation, according to Columbus Fire. The building’s detector and automatic extinguishing systems also did not operate, the report states.
The city estimated property losses at $200,000, with an additional $50,000 in content losses, according to the report.
The Olentangy River Road restaurant is one of seven Sonic locations in central Ohio.
As of May 12, it remained closed, with a handwritten sign mentioning the fire on the door. Additional information on next steps for the restaurant was not immediately available.
Sonic, founded in Oklahoma in 1953, is known for its drive-in format, carhop service and slush drinks. The chain is now owned by Inspire Brands, which also owns Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy John’s, Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’.
Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Fire shutters fast food restaurant on Olentangy River Road
Reporting by Amani Bayo, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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