IHOP restaurant in Oak Ridge was briefly closed Thursday afternoon after heat from cooking equipment set off the sprinkler system, authorities said.
On Thursday afternoon, employees said they expected the restaurant to reopen at about 5 p.m.
Oak Ridge Fire Department Battalion Chief Marty Griffith said heat from a cooker (a deep fryer) that had been moved out from under a hood Thursday afternoon melted what’s known as a fusible link in a sprinkler head, setting off the sprinkler. There was no active fire, but there was minimal water damage, Griffith said.
He said the water would have to be cleaned up, and the health department would have to inspect the restaurant.