A small fire has forced the St. Joseph Ave. Burger King to keep its doors closed Thursday Morning.

According to St. Joseph Fire Dept. Inspector Steve Henrichson fire crews responded to a fire call at the Burger King located at 715 Highland Ave. around 2:20 a.m. Thursday.

“They were in the process of changing the grease out of the fryer when it happened,” Henrichson said.

He said somehow when employees were emptying one of the fryers it ignited.

The fire was able to be extinguished using dry powder but due to health codes the restaurant is forced to keep its doors closed until it gets approval to reopen from the St. Joseph Health Department and the Fire Department.

Henrichson said crews from both departments are on scene this morning and the hope is that Burger King will re-open by this afternoon.