A grease fire broke out Tuesday evening inside the kitchen of the Wendy’s restaurant in Cornelia, prompting a swift response from multiple fire agencies across Habersham County.
Fire crews from Cornelia, Habersham County Emergency Services, Baldwin, and Demorest converged on the fast-food chain after reports of smoke inside the building. By the time firefighters arrived, employees had already evacuated all occupants.
“We had a working fire on the grill when we got here,” said a responding officer at the scene. “Crews were able to extinguish it very quickly and get everything under control. All the agencies worked well together.”
Authorities said the blaze, believed to have started with grease on a cooking surface, did not spread beyond the grill. The flames left minimal damage, sparing most of the kitchen and dining area.
Dakota Hunt, one of the incident commanders, said firefighters made an interior attack and “put a good knockdown” on the flames. He confirmed that no one was injured.
The sight drew a small crowd outside the restaurant as firefighters packed up hoses and equipment. “It’s good to know everyone’s okay,” said one bystander, who recalled causing a minor kitchen fire years ago while working at another fast-food chain.
Though shaken, Wendy’s employees and customers expressed relief. “We didn’t have any major extensions,” Hunt said. “It could have been much worse.”
Local officials emphasized that the collaborative response from Cornelia and neighboring cities helped prevent further damage. “This is their district, and we support them,” said another responder on scene.
By late evening, the restaurant stood dark but intact, with only the grill showing signs of the fire that had briefly threatened it.
