Fire Triggers Brief Road Closure

Mission Gorge Road near Magnolia was closed for a short period during the morning rush hour Wednesday while Santee fire fighters extinguished a grease fire at a Sonic Drive-in restaurant.

The fire, which was reported by employees at the restaurant about 7 a.m., caused minor damage to the kitchen area but left the structure unscathed, said Santee Fire Chief Robert Leigh.

“Because of early detection and quick action by Sonic employees, coupled with rapid response from Santee firefighters, who arrived at the scene in four minutes, damage was limited and minor,” Leigh said.

Fire units from Santee, Lakeside and El Cajon responded to the blaze, which started in the exhaust flue in the grill area of the restaurant.