S&S Cafeteria fire started near clothes dryer, investigators say

WEST ASHLEY, SC (WCSC) - The fire which damaged a utility room in the back of the S&S Cafeteria in West Ashley Wednesday morning started near a clothes dryer, officials say.

Charleston Fire Battalion Chief Mike Julazadeh said the majority of the fire was contained to the utility room area with water and smoke damage extending above the "drop ceiling."

The official cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Officials say an off-duty police officer was driving by the restaurant, located on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard near Orange Grove Road, when he saw smoke coming from the roof of the building around 3 a.m.

Firefighters from Charleston, North Charleston, and Saint Andrews departments arrived about five minutes later to find flames coming from the corner of the building. They were able to contain the blaze within about 40 minutes.

Charleston police also responded to the scene and SCE&G crews were called out to cut power to the restaurant.

The restaurant is closed for the time being.

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