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Cooking fire damages Gastonia steakhouse, officials say

GASTONIA, N.C. — No one was injured when a fire interrupted the Sunday lunch rush at a Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Gastonia according to the Gastonia Fire Department.

Firefighters responded just before noon on Sunday to the restaurant in the 1800 block of Remount Road.

On arrival, officials said heavy black smoke could be seen coming from the roof. No fire or smoke was visible inside the restaurant.

In a video shared to Facebook by Steve Mullis, dark black flames could be seen billowing from the top of the Texas Roadhouse.

The Gastonia Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze. Gastonia fire officials said the early belief is that the fire began in the kitchen and may have been caused by the grill.

Officials credited Texas Roadhouse employees for evacuating the restaurant and ensuring no one was injured.

Damage from the fire was estimated between $75,000 and $100,000.

This is a developing story. Check wsoctv.com for updates.

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