Fire shuts down Friday's Front Row Sports Grill, but Brewers baseball plays on

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A kitchen fire shuts down Friday's Front Row Sports Grill at Miller Park early Monday, July 21st. Milwaukee fire officials responded to Miller Park early Monday morning, July 21st. However, the fire will not keep the Milwaukee Brewers from playing baseball.

Officials say they received a called around 2 a.m. Upon arrival, crews saw heavy smoke and fire coming from the roof of the restaurant -- and around 2:30 a.m. crews called in a second alarm.

When crews entered the building they found fire coming from a stove and fryer -- which got into the ventilation system.

"It was quickly determined based on the volume of heavy, dark smoke pouring out of the roof that this fire had communicated into the ventilation ductwork, that removes all the smoke, heat and byproducts of frying and cooking to the outside of the building," Milwaukee Fire Department Deputy Chief Aaron Lipski said.

Fire officials say the fire was out by 3:08 a.m.

The Brewers say most of the operations and fan accommodations will be back to normal for tonight’s 7:10 p.m. game against the Cincinnati Reds.

A few areas sustained water damage and will not be operational until further notice. These include Fridays Restaurant, the escalators and elevators in the left field area, the left field Loge concession stand, and the Miller Park Conference Center Meeting Rooms on the Club and Terrace Levels.

"Thankfully, no one was hurt. Localized. Contained. Fire Department did a great job and we're open for business," said Rick Schlesinger of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Fans who have tickets in the Friday's seating area will be contacted by the Brewers for alternate seating options.

"From what we've heard people are very understanding of the situation and are looking for another date to come back," said Schlesinger.

Now the cleanup at the restaurant is underway -- and insurance companies have been contacted. It's not clear when the restaurant will reopen. That's in large part because some equipment may have to be replaced or wiring examined. Eventually, the Milwaukee Health Department must give its okay to reopen.