Possible fire at Draeger’s on Saturday leads to evacuation

3/9/26 update from same reader: “Apparently there was a faulty piece of equipment in the  kitchen above the meat department. The equipment was fixe before the store closed. No harm done to anyone, just a bit of excitement on a Saturday night!”

We got this account of what appears to have been a small fire near Draeger’s meat department yesterday. Anyone have more details? Our reader wrote:

“My husband was shopping while I was waiting in the car with my son. After about 15 minutes my husband tapped on the window and said they had to evacuate. He had been in the meat department when someone screamed and they smelled smoke.

“The clerks told everyone to leave — my husband was impressed with how calm they were.

“Everyone was supposed to wait in the lot across Menlo Avenue, but some remained in front of the store. We decided that it might be a long wait and chose to leave — our cartful of groceries still inside.

“When we crossed Menlo Ave. behind the store, we saw the fire trucks. The street was not closed but driving through was difficult.”

InMenlo file photo (c) 2010