Gas-fed fire at Chandler restaurant under investigation

by Catherine Holland

Video report by Jill Galus

Posted on October 7, 2014 at 6:28 AM

Updated yesterday at 7:35 AM

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- The owner of a popular Chandler restaurant says he hopes to be open by late Tuesday afternoon, a little more than 12 hours after a gas-fed fire damaged his building.

Fire crews arrived at Chop Chandler at Queen Creek and Dobson roads within four minutes of receiving the call at about 2:30 a.m.

Flames were shooting from the back patio. Firefighters kept those flames from spreading while Southwest Gas was contacted to shut off the gas to the building. Once the gas flow was turned off, the fire went out quickly.

Restaurant owner Spike Lawrence said there is no damage inside the restaurant. It was contained to an exterior wall at the back of the building.

"It should be, hopefully, business as usual once we repaint the building," he said. "It's a good advertisement for block construction instead of wood frame."

Lawrence said he hoped to be open for business by 4 p.m. If that does not happen, he said Chop will be open Wednesday.

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Gas-fed fire at Chandler restaurant under investigation