Gatlinburg Parkway reopened after fire at downtown restaurant

GATLINBURG, Tenn. ( WATE ) — The Parkway in Gatlinburg was reopened after part of it was temporarily closed as firefighters respond to a fire at a downtown restaurant Wednesday morning.

The fire at Dick’s Last Resort started at 10:37 a.m., according to the City of Gatlinburg. As Gatlinburg Fire Department and Pigeon Forge Fire Department crews responded to the fire, the parkway was closed in both directions between Traffic Light No. 6 and the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

“The fire initiated in the kitchen and spread through the ventilation system which was attached to the deep fryer,” Gatlinburg Fire Department Assistant Chief Wayne Brandenburg said. “The fire breached onto the roof of the structure, but Gatlinburg crews were able to suppress the fire quickly from the tower truck.”

One firefighter was taken from the scene for medical evaluation. The Gatlinburg Police Department also responded to the fire.

At 12:33 p.m., the Gatlinburg Police Department reported that all lanes of the parkway had been reopened.

“The containment of this fire in our downtown area is a testament to the work of the Gatlinburg Fire Department,” Gatlinburg City Manager Greg Patterson said. “Their dedication ensured the safety of our citizens, businesses, and visitors to our downtown area.

“The City is thankful for the work of the Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, and several other City departments whose employees assisted In various ways. We also appreciate the rapid response of mutual aid from the Pigeon Forge Fire Department in assisting the Gatlinburg Fire Department with this incident.”

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