Martin’s BBQ Joint, 55 South and the Salty Goat were evacuated Tuesday night after a fire broke out in one of the kitchens.  There were no injuries or structural damage to the building.  “The sprinkler system did it’s job – that’s what we have sprinklers in buildings for,” said Spring Hill Fire Chief Terry Hood. “When they opened up the pit, it flared up. It was basically a grease fire.”  The source of the grease fire, according to workers on the scene.

The fire broke out on the north end of Martin’s Bar-B-Que at around 8:50 p.m., and smoke quickly filled the building.  Anthony Hall was getting a drink with a friend at 55 South when he first saw the smoke. Hall said he thought it was normal smoke from putting out the ovens, until he noticed the smoke wasn’t stopping. Hall said the fire department arrived about five minutes after the smoke started, ordering everyone to evacuate the building.

Martin’s opened in March in the Spring Hill Station building which shares an outdoor seating area with the other restaurants. All three restaurants have since returned to normal operations.