Tuesday, July 22, 2008 --- 1:40 p.m.

According to Public Information Officer Lori Wirth, spontaneous combustion caused the Monday night fire at Dimitri's Gyros. Wirth said there was an airtight bag of cotton rags in the kitchen used for cleaning grease and oil in the kitchen, and they had been recently washed and dried. However, some of the grease and oil may have remained on the clean rags. The rags became heated in the kitchen, and because they were in an airtight bag, a chemical reaction formed resulting in spontaneous combustion.

The fire was accidental.

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Tuesday, July 22, 2008 --- 7:55 a.m.

According to a news release from the City of Madison Fire Department:

City of Madison firefighters were called to a fire at Dimitri’s Gyros, 3502 East Washington, at 10:11 p.m.

Engine Company 8 was first on scene. They arrived to find smoke from the eaves and ventilation system surrounding the building. No fire was immediately visible, but all windows were blackened from the smoke, preventing firefighters from seeing anything inside.

Firefighters forced entry through a rear door on the west side of the building. They were met with heavy flames in the restaurant kitchen.

The restaurant was closed for the night and there was no one in the building at the time of the fire. The alarm was called in by a passerby.

Firefighters from Ladder 1 ventilated the roof, and the fire was knocked down by 10:22.

Damages are estimated at $150,000 including the building and contents. The fire damage was contained to the kitchen, but there is smoke damage throughout the restaurant.

The cause remains under investigation.