Fire Rips Through New Bedford Burger King

A fire last night at Burger King in the South End of New Bedford kept firefighters busy for more than two hours.

District Fire Chief James Fortin tells WBSM News, firetrucks were called to the Cove Road location shortly before 8pm, and found flames and smoke coming from the roof of the building. Initial reports indicated the fire appeared to have started in the ceiling, and damaged the west side of the building, as well as the main entrance.

Firefighters did have to cut into the building's structure in order to successfully extinguish the fire.

The Cove Road franchise was open for business at the time, though no customers were in the building when the blaze started. Employees made it out of the building safely. There was no word on any injuries.

Fortin described the damage as extensive and the cost to repair is being assessed. Fortin says the business may be closed for quite some time, since state health regulations may require a complete overhaul of the restaurant before it's able to reopen.

The fire remains under investigation.