Charlie Staples closes temporarily after grease fire

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A small kitchen grease fire has shuttered Charlie Staples Barbecue restaurant on West Rayen Avenue for at least the next few days.

Youngstown Fire Department Battalion Chief Gary DiTullio said the fire started around lunchtime Thursday. He said a buildup of grease in one of the vents at the restaurant sparked the fire.

“They were just starting to cook and basically had a grease fire in the vent system,” he said.

“There were hot embers in the vent system, so we cleaned all that out and vented the kitchen area.”

Radio personality Jammin’ Janay of 101.9 FM was in the parking lot of the business at the time of the fire for a “Tools for Schools” promotion where educational items are collected for students returning to school in the fall.

She said a concerned citizen grabbed a fire extinguisher to battle flames coming from an outside vent before firefighters arrived.

“I smelled smoke and then the vent on the outside of the building just erupted in flames. I called the fire department and a guy from across the street grabbed a fire extinguisher and helped put out the flames,” she said.

DiTullio said there were no injuries and the estimated damages are about $1,000, but the restaurant will not be able to open its doors until the fire and health departments have completed inspections.

Charlie Staples said he plans to be open again for business within the week. He said the business was not severely damaged and should be open after cleanup and inspection.

“It really wasn’t much, just a grease fire in the hood ... but we have to get it cleaned all up and get the fire extinguisher recharged, and that is what takes time,” he said.