Smokey fire closes The Quarters

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An explosion in part of the building housing a popular southeast Albuquerque restaurant sent patrons quickly out into the streets Thursday evening and filled the structure in smoke.

The Quarters BBQ Restaurant and Lounge is not a loss, but smoke seems to have done more damage than flames.

The Albuquerque fire department responded to the well-known spot on Yale Boulevard SE at Avenida Cesar Chavez around 6:15 p.m. Thursday following reports of an explosion and fire in the garage around the corner of the main building.

According to the fire battalion commander, the restaurant was immediately evacuated and teams quickly put out the blaze in an area separated by a wall from the main dining area.

Arson teams have also looked over the scene, but so far no cause has been determined.

Once people were evacuated, they said you could see the flames outside the building.

"Talked to a couple of people who were around and they said the kitchen staff heard something explode, came outside and saw this garage that's cattycorner to the restaurant that caught on fire," patron Willie Dodge told KRQE News 13

The Quarters liquor store, which is a separate structure in the same parking lot, was not affected by the fire.

The Quarters will remain closed until further notice from the management.