Fire-Rescue News- Patrons return after fire forces evacuation of Somers Point Applebee's

From Press staff reports | Posted: Saturday, June 5, 2010 | 0 comments

Somers Point firefighters evacuated the Applebee’s on Bethel Road shortly before 1 p.m. Saturday when they found a car nearby on fire.

Firefighters said they saw heavy smoke pouring out of the unoccupied car when they quickly responded. All patrons were out of the building by 1 p.m. as a safety precaution because the car was parked so close to the structure, authorities said.

The fire was under control by 1:05 p.m., about 10 minutes after it started.

Crews also checked the inside of the building for smoke, and waited for smoke outside to dissipate before allowing patrons to re-enter.