KFC Tuggeranong fire: Emergency crews extinguish blaze at Greenway

Fried chicken lovers in Canberra are shedding tears for one of their busiest KFCs after it was severely damaged in an out of control kitchen fire, casting doubt on its reopening.

It is a dark day for Canberra’s Tuggeranong district following an inferno at one of the territory’s busiest KFCs where an out of control kitchen fire erupted. 

Multiple ACT Fire and Rescue crews rushed to KFC Tuggeranong at Greenway before 9am on Wednesday to reports of a fire and quickly cordoned off the area to the public.

The fast food establishment was gearing up to open with only several staff members inside when the kitchen fire erupted.

No injuries were reported as fire crews contained the blaze while Cowlishaw St and Reed St were closed off.

Normal traffic has resumed in the area while stunned bystanders look on in despair as the future of the fast food option looks unclear.

KFC Tuggeranong after its workers evacuated. Picture: Contributed

Multiple fire crews were required to extinguish the blaze at the fast food shop.

Bonython man David Gillard said he had been visiting the fried chicken restaurant since he moved to the area 22 years ago.

Mr Gillard said the shop was always been busy but had to compete with the McDonald’s next door.

David Gillard speaking about the fire at KFC Tuggeranong.

The drive-through on the opposite side of the building.

Parts of the building’s walls were damaged.

Police at the scene.

He told this publication he was in the area shortly after the fire erupted inside KFC.

“I got down here and the fire brigades were still coming in,” he said. “I went off and did some things and walked down towards the lake to sit there.

“It’s where I have a couple of drinks and cigarettes and that, like a time out, and when I came back they had the whole street blocked off.”

Mr Gillard said police were also on scene while he saw fireys containing the blaze.

“It looks like they must’ve burnt the chips,” he said. “The locals will miss it, some people do like their KFC and they like their chicken. It'll be missed for a while … it looks like a total rebuild.”

It’s understood the structural damage to the building may require the business to be rebuilt.

Due to this damage it’s also understood it will take time for investigators to inspect the full damage safely.