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Norwood Center Rural Fire Department responded to a fire in downtown Norwood Wednesday morning.

According to Fire Chief Vaughn Rummage, firefighters were alerted to a fire at Fat Backs Soul Food & BBQ, at 144 N. Main St., at around 6:30 a.m.

He said the fire was extensive but was mainly concentrated at the back of the building, where the kitchen was located. No one was inside the building at the time.

In addition to Center Rural, Southside Volunteer Fire Department and Aquadale Volunteer Fire Department also assisted.

Rummage estimated it took about 40 minutes to get the fire under control. No other buildings were damaged.

“He’s got extensive damage, but I can’t say how much,” Rummage said, noting he thinks most of the cooking equipment will be a total loss.

According to Mickey Misenheimer, Lyn’s wife, the investigation to the fire is still pending.

A family friend who works at Bojangles alerted the family to the fire around 6 a.m., she said.

The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday, but Mickey said her husband goes by daily to check things out and prepare for the week ahead.

“He put three-plus years of blood, sweat and tears into (the business),” Mickey said. “We had just bought groceries for the week to load into the refrigerators and freezers.”

She thanked people for reaching out to help the family on Facebook.

“They want us to rebuild, but it’s going to be a struggle rebuilding,” Mickey said.

Those wanting to donate to the family can use the tag $DawnMDM to donate through CashApp.

Charles Curcio contributed to this report.