Small Cheesecake Factory fire closes University

A small fire behind the Cheesecake Factory restaurant in downtown Palo Alto closed University Avenue for a time early this evening.

Four fire trucks, a police car and paramedics van responded to the 6:37 p.m. incident at 375 University, at Waverley Street.

A restaurant employee said the fire was “a really minor kitchen fire” that caused the restaurant to be evacuated, but it reopened after the fire was extinguished.

Fire officials later said the fire “was determined to be a rubbish fire contained to the rear exterior of the building.”

But firefighters discovered a small gas leak on the main line leading into the building and evacuated the restaurant until the line could be repaired, according to Emergency Manager Barbara Cimino.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Cimino said.

Traffic was moderate to light in the post-commute period.

— Palo Alto Weekly staff; intern Emily James contributed to this report.

— Palo Alto Weekly staff; intern Emily James contributed to this report.

— Palo Alto Weekly staff; intern Emily James contributed to this report.