Junction City firefighters responded to El Tapitio Mexican Restaurant 322 West 6th Street at 9:25 a.m. Wednesday.

Bill Kausler, Fire Department Battalion Chief, reported that firefighters received a call for a possible structure fire. “Upon arrival we found a light haze inside the structure. The fire was out. It was a grease fire from a buildup of grease behind the fryer itself.”

Kausler estimated the damage at approximately $2,500. But he noted the business will encounter an expense to have their system totally reworked and checked out.  Concerning the length of time the business will be closed, Kausler noted utimately that will be up to the City codes department, who was also notified. “We met with management. We found a number of write-ups, not major significant write-ups, but things they will need to take care of through the fire department, and through the codes department, and also through the agricultural department who will have to come in and do an inspection also.” Kausler added that  Kansas Gas Service also shut the gas off to the structure.

Kausler reported that the major write-up involved the restaurant’s hood system, which will need to be totally redone. The others are minor.