(Buford, Ga., May 14, 2018) – Firefighters responded at 1:02 p.m., to a report of a fire at the Romano’s Macaroni Grill, 3207 Buford Drive, NE in unincorporated Buford.  The restaurant is in front of the Mall of Georgia.

An employee called 9-1-1 after seeing smoke coming from the electrical outlets on the wall in a back storage area near the kitchen.  Smoke quickly filled the restaurant as staff and patrons (approx. 25 people) evacuated.  An Employee doused the outlets with a portable fire extinguisher prior to exiting the building.  They reported seeing smoke inside, but no flames were visible.  Everyone was outside-safe when the fire trucks arrived and no injuries were reported.

Firefighters arrived to find light smoke showing from the exterior of the single-story stucco building.  Crews deployed an attack hose line and entered the restaurant to put the fire out and check for extension.  The fire was contained within the wall on the front-right corner of the building and caused extensive damage to the wall.  Firefighters had to breach part of the wall material from the exterior to keep the fire from spreading. 

Per Fire Investigators, the exact cause of the fire is undetermined, but appears to be accidental.  The restaurant will remain closed due to the damage and associated cleanup.