Small fryer fire shuts down Massillon Old Carolina restaurant

MASSILLON – A small fire in a deep fryer on Tuesday shut down operations at the Old Carolina Barbecue Company restaurant.

Massillon firefighters were called the restaurant at 2482 Lincoln Way E around 11:30 a.m., 30 minutes after the eatery opened.

Assistant Chief Paul Harbaugh said a small fire ignited under the unit. He extinguished the flames with the restaurant's fire extinguisher.

Damaged was contained to the unit, he said, and the hood system pulled the smoke out of the restaurant.

"It worked just like it was designed to," the assistant chief said.

There were three employees inside and no customers at the time, Harbaugh said. No one was injured.

Old Carolina posted on social media the location would be closed today because of the small fire but everyone was safe.

The restaurant is expected to reopen for business Wednesday.

Harbaugh said the city Health Department would have to inspect before it could reopen.