Parkersburg firefighters are shown at Texas Roadhouse in the Traffic Circle Monday after extinguishing a fire that ignited in the restaurant’s ductwork. The restaurant will be temporarily closed for cleaning and repairs. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

From staff reports

PARKERSBURG — Texas Roadhouse in the Traffic Circle is temporarily closed after a grease fire in its ductwork Monday.

Parkersburg Fire Chief Jason Matthews said firefighters were dispatched to the Parkersburg restaurant at 5:04 p.m. and arrived on scene three minutes later. Black smoke and flames were visible on the roof when they arrived.

Firefighters used dry chemical extinguishers inside the kitchen and sprayed a hose from above to douse the flames, Matthews said. The fire was out by 5:15 p.m., he said.

Parkersburg resident John Earl said he had just finished his meal when the fire alarm went off and diners were evacuated into the parking lot.

Matthews said that while smoke got into the kitchen and dining area, the fire “was all contained to the ductwork system.” Grease that had built up inside the system ignited, he said.

The fire chief said the restaurant will be closed while it is cleaned and the ductwork repaired. A fire suppression system above the cook stove must be tested and operational before the eatery can reopen.

No injuries were reported, Matthews said.