Up in flames


Flames leap out of the Cabin restaurant in Howell as firefighters battle a blaze on Saturday. Flames leap out of the Cabin restaurant in Howell as firefighters battle a blaze on Saturday.

A fire which heavily damaged the Cabin restaurant, Route 33, Howell, on Saturday, was ruled accidental, according to the county fire marshal’s office.

Hank Stryker III, first deputy fire marshal, said the fire began in an exhaust system duct that ran through the basement. It was used to remove exhaust from the kitchen located in the back of the bar and restaurant.

George Gravatt Jr., chief of the Adelphia Fire Company, Howell, one of the first firefighters to arrive at the scene, said he saw "heavy smoke from all areas of the building and heavy fire from the basement."

Flames and dark smoke leapt from the rear portion of the restaurant, which has a log cabin facade, that fronts Route 33.


PHOTOS BY JERRY WOLKOWITZ A firefighter battling Saturday’s blaze at the Cabin restaurant gets some cool relief. PHOTOS BY JERRY WOLKOWITZ A firefighter battling Saturday’s blaze at the Cabin restaurant gets some cool relief.

Employees and patrons were evacuated prior to the firefighters’ arrival, Gravatt added.

The fire was reported about 3 p.m. by an employee, police said.

About 150 firefighters from nine fire companies battled the blaze along with very high heat and humidity. It took about an hour to bring the fire under control, Gravatt said.

A mechanical room in back of the restaurant and portions of the roof had fire damage. Gravatt noted that the restaurant’s sustained smoke and heat damage.

Several firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion and two firefighters were taken to local hospitals to be treated for injuries that police classified as minor.

Police closed Route 33 for several hours between Fairfield and Yellowbrook roads.

— Jerry Wolkowitz