Fire at Stolley's Hogg Alley caused by cigarette

A fire at Stolley's Hogg Alley, 2008 N. Venice Beach Road, Summit, was likely due to a cigarette.

First units for Western Lakes Fire District arrived at the restaurant at 12:09 a.m. Dec. 8 for a fire that began near the front door.

"Hogg Alley, after we investigated it, we felt it started outside as a result of a smoking material," said Western Lakes Fire Chief Brad Bowen. "We couldn't exactly a find a cigarette, but there was a cigarette receptacle in the area."

When firefighters arrived, smoke was coming from the eaves of the building, and firefighters found fire found in the walls.

"We had the fire knocked down within the first 20 minutes, but there was a lot of overhaul being completed, which just means we had to continue to search for any other hotspots that were hidden behind the wall," Bowen said.

Crews remained on the scene until a little before 2 a.m. Additional units from Okauchee, Wales-Genesee and Stone Bank responded.

Hogg Alley owner Jeff Stoll expects his establishment to be closed for a week for clean up.

"It's just pretty much being cleaned," Stoll said. "Smoke damage, water damage, that type of thing."

Stoll said six people were in the building at the time of the fire, but no one was injured. Stoll also noted that support from the community has been strong.

"We've had an overpouring amount of support from the whole community," Stoll said. "It's been awesome, the support. It was a small little fire, but I don't care, you still have a lot of clean up and a lot of people involved. We have a lot of employees, friends and family and customers that are looking for their favorite place to go."