Small fire at Hixson restaurant causes disruption for other businesses

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga firefighters were called to a Mexican restaurant in Hixson on Tuesday morning.

They found a fire in the back of El Matate in the Publix complex on Hixson Pike near Valleybrook.

But when firefighters put it out, they heard a hissing sound.

So gas was shut off to the entire strip mall.

It turned out the case was just a CO line in the restaurant with a hole in it.

They cut that off as well.

They determined the fire was started by the hot water heater.