But not before thick smoke filled the building and billowed out onto the street, resulting in damage that will keep the eatery closed for some time.
Shortly after 11 a.m., Niagara West Fire and Emergency Services were called to Crabby Joe’s Tap and Grill at the corner of Serena Drive and Ontario Street for reports of smoke coming from the building.
Deputy fire Chief Bill Blake said nine trucks from Lincoln’s four fire halls responded to the blaze and were able to extinguish the fire quickly, confining it to a single room.
“Once we were on scene, we had it pretty much under control,” he said.
Blake said once the fire was put out, crews shifted their efforts to ventilation, clearing out the considerable smoke. He said there was considerable smoke damage, though he did not have an estimate, and it will be some time before customers will be able to return.
“It’s going to need extensive cleaning,” he said. “It’s going to be closed for a while.”
The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation. However, Blake said it is not considered to be suspicious.