At the Red Lobster on Opelika Road, fire broke out near the front of the building around 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
According to Matt Jordan, deputy fire chief for the Auburn Fire Department, the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. There have been no reports of injuries.
"Sometimes, it's a best-case scenario when it's during the daylight like this and people see it and report it," Jordan said. "Everyone in the restaurant was able to get out ... but it did fill the restaurant with a substantial amount of smoke."
Jordan said firefighters are investigating whether the fire has extended to the inside of the building. He said the interior could be damaged based on the amount of smoke that has accumulated, but they are not sure of the extent yet. The front exterior of the building does have damage and will need to be repaired.
"Should a fire like this occur in the middle of the night, it might have been a total loss of the building," Jordan said.
Employees of the restaurant gave no comment on the incident.
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