Worker burned in fire at Panda Express in Gilbert

PHOENIX — A worker was burned in a fire at a Panda Express in Gilbert on Saturday morning, authorities said.

According to Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department, crews were dispatched to a Panda Express off Market Street and Williams Field Road just after 9 a.m. for reports of heavy smoke coming from the restaurant.

Gilbert Fire spokesperson Aaron Barton said that while crews were responding the incident was upgraded to a first-alarm fire and units from the Mesa and Chandler fire departments responded to help.

When crews arrived at the scene, there was heavy smoke and fire coming from the roof of the restaurant.

Firefighters entered the Panda Express to ensure that everyone was out of the building before working to extinguish the fire in the cooking area of the kitchen.

In addition, ladder crews put out the fire that was on the roof of the restaurant.

Barton said there was an employee who was treated for minor burns he sustained on his hand.

Northbound traffic on Market Street was shut down while crews were fighting the fire but has since reopened.

It is not known when the restaurant will reopen.

The investigation to determine what caused the fire is ongoing.

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