Joplin Fire Department responds to report of smoke in Northpark Mall food court

(From the Joplin Fire Department)

The Joplin Fire Department responded to a report of smoke in the food court at Northpark Mall at 4:07 p.m. on February 13.

The first fire crew arrived at 4:09 p.m. and reported a large shopping complex with nothing showing.

Crews entered the structure and found a light haze of smoke in the food court as well as moderate smoke in the old Garfield’s restaurant building.

After further investigation crews discovered an area just outside the old Garfield’s restaurant in the landscaping that had been on fire but had almost completely burned itself out.

The food court area of the mall as well as surrounding stores were evacuated due to the initial unknown origin or source of the smoke. Crews completely extinguished the fire outside and ventilation was established to remove the odor and smoke from the building. Occupants were allowed back into the mall at approximately 5 p.m.

There were no injuries to civilians or firefighting crews.

The fire department responded with 8 apparatus and 20 personnel.

The fire department was assisted by Joplin Police Department, Duenweg Fire Department and METS Ambulance Service.

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature due improper disposal of smoking materials.