A fire broke out at the Cook Out fast food restaurant in Southern Pines just after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, causing significant damage to the building. Smoke was seen coming from the rear of the building as the first emergency crews arrived on scene, where they discovered a fire had started in one of the restrooms.
According to authorities, the staff of the restaurant had all made it safely out of the building prior to the arrival of firefighters.
Firefighters quickly put the fire under control and contained it to the two restrooms. The restrooms are located at the back of the building, with entrances on the outside rather than the inside. One restroom was completely destroyed, and the other suffered damage from the water, fire, and smoke.
Even after the fire was extinguished, fire crews remained on the scene to ensure no other areas of concern existed.
According to Southern Pines Fire Chief Mike Cameron, the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Responding to the fire were Southern Pines Fire & Rescue, Aberdeen Fire & Rescue, Pinehurst Fire Department, Whispering Pines Fire & Rescue, Moore County EMS, and Southern Pines Police Department.
~Article, video, and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Publisher B.J. Goodridge.
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