Red Lobster restaurant in Monroe County considered a total loss after an overnight fire
A Red Lobster restaurant building in Monroe County, Michigan, was destroyed after a fire was discovered early Monday on the site.
The restaurant at 1553 North Dixie Highway, Frenchtown Township, is located among the restaurants and hotels just off Interstate 75's Exit 15. There were no injuries, and no damage to the nearby buildings.
"Obviously, the building is a total loss," Frenchtown Township Fire Chief Wendy Stevens said about 5 a.m. when firefighters remained on scene and smoke was still rising from the building.
Stevens said a passerby called emergency services at about 2:15 a.m., reporting there was smoke coming from the building. By that time, the crews who worked Sunday night had left. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke and flames visible and started to go inside.
"The fire was already well into the ceiling. The ceiling started coming down on the firefighters," the chief said. "We pulled them out and did a defensive attack."
The westbound lanes of North Dixie Highway in front of the restaurant were blocked to traffic because of the number of emergency vehicles on site.
First responder agencies assisting included Monroe County Sheriff's Office, City of Monroe Fire, Monroe Township Fire, Exter Township Fire, Berlin Township Fire, Estral Beach Fire, Ash Township Fire and Monroe Community Ambulance. The London-Maybee-Raisinville Fire Department was on standby.
The scene was cleared before noon, when crews could be seen boarding up the building.
The Monroe County Fire Investigation Team will work with Frenchtown Township Fire to investigate the cause. "A preliminary investigation has not revealed anything suspicious regarding the cause of the fire," the sheriff's office said in a press release Monday afternoon.
The restaurant is one of over two dozen Red Lobster sites in Michigan.
