Fire department, code enforcement to begin inspecting local restaurants
The Forrest City Fire Department, along with the city’s code enforcement division, said local restaurants should prepare to be inspected.
The inspections were announced today after firemen responded to a pair of fires at fast food establishments over the past couple of weeks.
According to FCFD Fire Chief Shane Dallas, a fire Sunday night at the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant will force the business to be closed for the time being.
"We had a fire at KFC where one of the cookers caught on fire," said Dallas. "The fire department responded and extinguished the fire with minimal damage and no injuries. The business will be closed down until the health department and other organizations get everything inspected to make sure everything is safe."
Dallas said that following a fire recently in the kitchen at Burger King, the agency decided to begin conducting thorough inspections at local restaurants.
"This is our second fast food fire in the last few weeks. We just want to let everybody know that we are going to begin a special focus on our restaurants," said Dallas. "We are going to be coming around and making sure things are being done correctly and safely in accordance with codes and laws. To make sure that one, they are safe for the employees, and two, that they are safe for the people who patronize them."
According to Dallas, the departments want to make sure everything is being operated safely in Forrest City.
"If you see the fire department out at different restaurants over the next few weeks, just know that it could be because we are doing an increased inspection to make sure everything is safe," added Dallas. "If you own any restaurant and have questions, feel free to call Forrest City Fire Marshal Jeremy Sharp. If anyone would like to schedule an inspection at a certain time or if they have any questions, they can call us. We just want to make sure everything is being operated safely in Forrest City."