DES MOINES, Iowa - Firefighters say they're still shaking their heads after people inside the Centro Restaurant in downtown Des Moines kept eating while fire alarms went off, and heavy smoke and flames rolled out of a kitchen vent during a fire Sunday.
"Above the kitchen, the hood system, it was shooting flames outside the building and heavy smoke." Des Moines Fire Department Lieutenant Chris Bolten tells WHO Radio News.
He says even when firefighters rushed into the restaurant, the diners just kept eating and talking like nothing was happening.
"When the alarms were going off and they got there, people were still eating, you know, so they had to make sure they got out." Bolten says. "When you hear alarms and see firemen show up, get out. Get out of the building."
No one was hurt in the fire, but Bolten says there is smoke and water damage, besides the kitchen vent system that now needs to be repaired. On its Facebook page, Centro says the repairs will likely be completed and the restaurant opened this week.
Photo WHO-TV 13