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An employee of Garden Gate Diner, 3105 Lincoln Highway East, was preparing to open the restaurant about 6:15 a.m. and discovered smoke inside the building.
Fire crews from Paradise, Gordonville, Kinzers, Intercourse, Gap and Ronks responded and discovered smoke coming from a basement storage area.
Paradise fire Chief Bob Herman said that by the time the crews arrived, the fire had been out for an unknown amount of time. But smoke had filled the building.
"It was pretty substantial damage," Herman said.
An investigation by the state police fire marshal determined the fire originated in electrical wiring in a storage area in the basement. It was ruled accidental.
More than 50 firefighters were at the scene for an hour and a half, Herman said. There were no reported injuries.
Later in the day, crews battled a small fire in the garage of a Penn Township home.
Manheim Assistant Chief Brandy Rhodes said crews were called at 7:30 p.m. to a two-story split-level home at 460 Cope Hill Drive.Rhodes said light smoke was showing from all sides of the home and flames were coming from the garage.
A small fire had started in the garage, Rhodes said, burning household items including garden chemicals, dish detergents and plastic bins.
The owner of the house was not home at the time of the fire, Rhodes said, but was at the scene before fire crews arrived.
Rhodes said firefighters brought the blaze under control in 15 minutes.
A state police fire marshal said the cause of the fire was unknown, but ruled it accidental.
Damages were estimated at $5,000 to the building and $5,000 for cleanup and lost items.
Rhodes said 30 emergency responders from Manheim, Lititz, East Petersburg, Penryn and Manheim Memorial Ambulance were at the scene.
E-mail: myoder@lnpnews.com
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