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<p>PITTSTON &#8212; The Majestic Lunch will be closed Friday due to a fire that started in a soda cooler in the dining area of the eatery.</p><p>The fire was reported about 7:45 a.m. by employee Debbie Sherfield, who was in the back kitchen doing prep work before opening the restaurant, located at 20 S. Main St., Pittston.</p><p>Sherfield heard a strange popping and sparking noise.</p><p>&#8220;I came out and saw flames shooting out from under the machine,&#8221; Sherfield said. &#8220;I was scared to death and called 911.&#8221;</p><p>Pittston Fire Department responded quickly, she said.</p><p>Harry Salavantis, the owner of Majestic Lunch, said he is grateful no one was hurt and for Sherfield&#8217;s quick thinking.</p><p>By 8 15 a.m. Friday, Sherfield had the front door open to air out the smoke and was mopping up water on the tile floor. Damage to the 15-year-old machine seemed to be limited to the bottom vent section.</p><p>Salavantis said the machine received regular maintenance.</p><p>The Majestic Lunch will remain closed on Friday for cleaning and disposal of items damaged by smoke and water, he said.</p><p>&#8220;The state Health Department was already here,&#8221; Salavantis said. &#8220;They support our decision to close today.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;We will re-open Saturday for regular business hours.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Debbie Sherfield, an employee at The Majestic Lunch at 20 S. Main St., Pittston, mops up water caused by the Pittston Fire Department, who responded to a soda machine fire Friday morning. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_20161028_082444-3.jpg</photo0><caption0>Debbie Sherfield, an employee at The Majestic Lunch at 20 S. Main St., Pittston, mops up water caused by the Pittston Fire Department, who responded to a soda machine fire Friday morning. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Eileen Godin</p><p>egodin@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Soda machine fire closes The Majestic Lunch Friday