Local

Fire closes popular midtown restaurant temporarily

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Popular Italian restaurant Mama Ricotta’s in midtown Charlotte is temporarily closed following a fire.

Chopper 9 SkyZoom was over the scene just before 1 p.m. Thursday and spotted flames coming from the top of the building on South Kings Drive.

South Kings Drive was closed down in the 600 block as crews worked the fire, but reopened once the blaze was put out.

Channel 9 anchor Allison Latos reported from the scene that lunch customers had to be rushed from the restaurant when the fire broke out.

According to a tweet from the restaurant's official account, the fire was in the restaurant's hood system.

The business also praised the quick response of the Charlotte Fire Department for containing the fire and keeping the damage to a minimum.

Restaurants reps told Channel 9, the general manager is working with contractors and health inspectors and that they hope to reopen by Friday evening.

Officials ruled the fire accidental.

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