STANFORD –The kitchen area of a local restaurant was left a total loss after catching fire early Sunday morning.

The Stanford Fire Department responded to Torres Mexican Steakhouse on Metker Trail after a call was received by dispatch reporting the sound of an explosion, followed by smoke and flames.

According to Stanford Fire Chief Scott Maples, firefighters were dispatched at 2:09 a.m. and arrived on scene at 2:15 a.m.

When they arrived, firefighters found heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the building.

Maples said a call was placed for mutual aid assistance from the Lincoln County Fire Department and the Crab Orchard Fire Department.

Calls were also made to Kentucky Utilities, Atmos Energy and Stanford Waterworks to cut all services to the building.

Maples said the fire was under control at 5:29 a.m. and “dead fire” was reported by 8:13 a.m.

An investigation into the cause of the fire began at 8:30 a.m. and was completed at 10:44 a.m., he said.

“It was determined that the fire was accidental and electrical in nature,” Maples said. “The fire started in one of the electrical panels in the mechanical room at the rear of the structure.”

The rear of the building, which included the kitchen area, was a total loss, Maples said.
Heavy smoke and water damaged the rest of the building.