Southport Smoke House closes temporarily after fire; cause under investigation

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WWAY) — A Southport restaurant is cleaning up after a fire damaged the building late Tuesday night.

According to authorities, emergency crews were called to Southport Smoke House around 9:45 p.m. after a passerby spotted flames on the roof and called 911.

Firefighters arrived within minutes and spent about an hour bringing the fire under control.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Southport Police Chief Todd Coring said authorities believe it may have been caused by a discarded cigarette.

“There’s nothing to be alarmed about. Anytime we have a fire like that, some people worry about suspicion, but at this point we don’t think it’s anything suspicious to be alarmed about because it’s accidental cause,” Coring said.

Southport Smoke House announced on Facebook that it will remain closed until further notice.

Employees told WWAY they are hopeful the restaurant will reopen before Southport’s annual Fourth of July festival.