Cigarette 'smokes' IHOP
FROM STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Scott Page/Gulf Breeze News Midway firefighters saw open a column on the facade of the IHOP restaurant in Gulf Breeze to get to the source of a fire Saturday, Feb. 16. Further investigation determined the cause of the fire to be a lit cigarette.

The International House of Pancakes (IHOP) on Gulf Breeze Parkway was a hot place to be last Saturday night. It caught fire Saturday, Feb. 16 around 6 p.m.

The outer wall near of the restaurant on the 2500 bock of Gulf Breeze Parkway had smoke billowing out and employees and diners were herded outside the building.

"I was told that someone stuck a lit cigarette in there and employees attempted to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher," said Midway Fire Chief Stephen Demeter.

To the dismay of IHOP employees, the fire wasn't out.

"It was carelessness," said IHOP employee Donald Salter. "They thought they had it out but the fire flared up several hours later."

That's when they had to call Midway Fire.

Firefighters sawed open a section of the wall and quickly extinguished the fire.

"The crew did a good job and kept the damage to a minimal level," said Demeter.

IHOP was forced to close Saturday night, but is now reopen. No injuries were reported.