Crews battle fire at TGI Friday’s in Monroeville
Emergency crews were called to the scene of a fire at TGI Friday’s in Monroeville on Friday afternoon.
The fire started just after 3 p.m.
A Channel 11 crew at the scene could see damage to the roof and the area above the entrance.
The majority of the damage is to the outside of the building, Monroeville Fire Company No. 1 Chief Jason Sonafelt said.
“The police arrived first on scene and had smoke coming to the right of the main door,” Chief Sonafelt said. “Fire crews arrived shortly after and started seeing some smoke coming out of the roof and then there were some flames coming out.”
Everyone who was inside eating and working had to evacuate.
A woman’s plans were quickly ruined when she drove up and realized what was happening.
“We were going to go to Friday’s for my birthday but now there’s a big hole in the roof from the fire,” said the woman from Derry who did not want to give her name.
Fire Chief Sonafelt said they called in a handful of other fire companies to help fight the flames, so they could rotate crews out every 15 minutes because of the sweltering summer heat.
“It is taxing on them, but they all did a great job today,” he said.
As for the birthday girl from Derry, she said she’ll have to instead go to Red Robin to celebrate.
“I’m sad because we like Friday's,” she said. “I’m glad everybody’s okay.”
Channel 11 reached out to the TGI Friday’s corporate office to find out when the restaurant will reopen and is waiting to hear back.
No injuries were reported.
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal and Monroeville police are investigating.
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