06/08/2026
We wanted to share and spread awareness about a frightening and potentially dangerous incident that occurred at Parker’s over the weekend.
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, our smoke detectors were triggered, automatically alerting the police department, fire department, Carol, and Jimmy.
The first person to arrive on scene was sergeant Andrew Hilker. When he reached our back kitchen door, he discovered the kitchen filled with smoke and flames. Sergeant Hilker immediately attempted to gain access through the back door while Carol contacted our maintenance team to check the building. Shortly after, Jimmy Donnelly arrived and unlocked the door, allowing Sergeant Hilker to retrieve a fire extinguisher and quickly put out the fire.
We cannot thank the Seneca Falls Police Department and Fire Department enough for their swift response and actions. Their quick thinking prevented what could have been a much more serious situation.
After investigating, we discovered the cause of the fire was something surprisingly simple—something many restaurants use every day without a second thought.
Earlier that day, we had changed the chemicals used in our bar dishwasher. A small amount of the cleaning solution spilled in the kitchen and was cleaned up using kitchen rags, which were then placed in our dirty rag hamper. Throughout the rest of the day and evening, additional cleaning rags were added to the same hamper. We believe the combination of the chemical residue and the pile of rags created enough heat over time to cause spontaneous combustion.
What we learned afterward is that incidents like this are actually more common than many people realize in the restaurant industry. Something that seems routine and harmless can quickly become a serious fire hazard.
Fortunately, our rag hamper was located beneath a steel sink and next to our ice bin, which helped limit the spread of the fire. Most importantly, thanks to the rapid response from everyone involved, there was absolutely no significant damage to our restaurant.
We’re sharing this story as a reminder to other businesses and restaurant owners to be mindful of how cleaning chemicals and used rags are stored and disposed of. A simple precaution could prevent a dangerous situation.
Thank you again to sergeant Andrew Hilker, the Seneca Falls Police Department and the Seneca Falls Fire department.