Chain restaurant near State College damaged by fire, prompting temporary closure
Flames billowed into the early morning sky Wednesday as a fire damaged a chain restaurant in Happy Valley, a blaze that drew a response from nearly three dozen volunteer firefighters.
The exterior of Outback Steakhouse, 1905 Waddle Road, was moderately damaged by the fire that began about 2:05 a.m. Wednesday, Centre Region Fire Director Shawn Kauffman said. The interior had minor smoke and water damage.
The fire started in the area of a soiled linen bin outside of the restaurant, Kauffman said. The Australian-themed eatery was closed and nobody was at the restaurant when the fire began.
It was controlled by 2:34 a.m., Kauffman said. Emergency responders did not leave the restaurant until about 4:45 a.m. No injuries were reported. Twenty-seven Alpha Fire Co. firefighters responded, as well as six firefighters from the Boalsburg Fire Co.
The Centre Region fire marshal and Patton Township police are investigating. Centre LifeLink EMS assisted.
A phone call placed to the business Wednesday during its normal business hours was answered with an automated message that said the restaurant was closed.
A restaurant spokesperson was unable to share additional details, including how long the closure will last. The chain is still assessing the damage, she wrote in an email.