Explosion reported at Border Grill

MARQUETTE — A small explosion was reported around 4 p.m. Saturday at the Border Grill restaurant at 800 N. Third St. in Marquette, according to a press release from the Marquette City Fire Department. Two minor injuries were reported in connection to the incident.

Border Grill staff explained that a small explosion occurred on top of a stove in the kitchen. The building’s sprinkler system along with the stove’s Ansul fire-suppression system quickly extinguished the fire that resulted from the explosion.

The building was in the process of being evacuated when the fire department arrived at the scene. The building was then secured by fire crews, who also assisted staff with water removal in the building to keep water damage from the activated sprinklers to a minimum. Fire crews cleared the scene at around 5 p.m.

Border Grill on Third Street is temporarily closed while they recover from sprinkler damage, and is expected to reopen Wednesday, according to a post from Border Grill on its Facebook page.

Fire officials said Monday morning the cause of the explosion and fire remain under investigation. Officials from Border Grill could not be reached for comment before press time.

Snowmobile safety enforced

MARQUETTE — Many regional law enforcement agencies, including the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State Police and sheriff’s offices from Chippewa, Luce, Alger, Mackinac and Schoolcraft counties partipcated in a snowmobile safety task force over the Presidents’ Day weekend.

The agencies focused on reducing accidents and enforcing laws regarding careless operation, unreasonable speeds, operating while intoxicated and exceeding exhaust sound decibel levels.

Over the weekend, five accidents were reported by the agencies, along with one lost snowmobiler. The the combined total of verbal warnings issued by all participating agencies was 88, with 34 citations issued, according to a press release from Luce County Sheriff Department.

The agencies are reminding snowmobilers to always stop at all stop signs, reduce speeds around corners, make sure to have valid registration and trail permits, and ride on their side of the trail, especially around corners. Michigan snowmobile regulations can be found at: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10365_14824-32293–,00.html

Sanitary sewer overflow in Sawyer

MARQUETTE — A sanitary sewer overflow was reported by the K.I. Sawyer Water/Wastewater Department over the weekend.

The event occurred around 200 feet northeast of the south end of Provider Street in Gwinn. The overflow ended around 11 a.m. Sunday, officials said, though the amount of sewage that overflowed is unknown.

Officials said the affected ground was covered with lime and the area was cordoned off with caution tape, and that no surface waters were impacted. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Marquette County Health Department have been notified of the incident.