SEYMOUR — A fire reported Monday night at an empty restaurant turned out to be thick fog launched from a “bug bomb,” officials said. No injuries were reported.
The fire department and EMS were called to the scene at about 7:30 p.m. after a person saw heavy smoke coming from the former Thai Dish & Burger at 56 Pearl St.
Fire Marshal Timm Willis said the business recently closed.
Video posted to YouTube by FiregroundImages.com show how easily the situation could have been confused by the public with an actual fire. Click the play button above to watch.
No humans were inside.
“Units arrived on scene and saw what appeared to be smoke inside the former restaurant,” Willis said. “Upon entering the building, it was quickly determined that this was fog from a bug bomb.”
Bug bombs, often called foggers, release an insecticide into the air to kill bugs, and are often used as a less expensive alternative to professional pest control services.
Willis said the firefighters on scene were evaluated by Seymour EMS as a precaution.
Willis said the space inside was mostly empty, except for some appliances which were pulled away from the walls. The owner was not on scene but was contacted, Willis said.
Willis said firefighters opened windows and doors to air out the building.
Willis said the state Department of Energy and Environment (DEEP) was contacted because a chemical was involved. He said that the agency could be following up on the incident.
The Valley Indy called the phone number listed on Thai Dish & Burger’s website, but it rang several times before going to a busy signal.
An image from a video posted to YouTube.com by FiregroundImages.com.
