ADAMS TWP — The quick work of a restaurant employee Saturday stopped a fire at the Double Wide Grill restaurant from spreading, fire officials said Monday.

The fire, which originated in a wood-burning stove and triggered a smoke detector, was reported at 9:12 p.m. Saturday, according to Butler County Emergency Services.

According to Bill Hayes, Adams Area Fire District chief, the flare-up inside the stove was sucked up and through the exhaust hood, causing a small fire and smoke.

The Adams Fire District responded, and was assisted by the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company. However, Hayes said the staff reacted quickly and properly, keeping the situation under control.

“I don’t live too far from there, and by the time I got there, the assistant manager had used a fire extinguisher to put the stove fire out, and staff had evacuated the building,” he said.

Hayes said the assistant manager went above and beyond, taking the extinguisher to the roof of the building to stop the fire from spreading.

“I made sure the general manager knew exactly what this kid had done,” he said. “If he wanted to be a volunteer fireman, I’d take him in a heartbeat.”

Fire crews used a pressurized water canon to further control the fire, and then spent time making sure all hot spots were cooled. Hayes said minimal water was needed, as the fire did not spread to the wooden roof.

The restaurant, which usually operates seven days a week, was still closed Monday morning, and restaurant officials could not immediately be reached.