The Crystal River Fire Department A-Shift, along with automatic aid partners from Citrus County Fire Rescue, responded to a reported structure fire at Applebee's on US 19 about 6:55 a.m. on February 19.

When firefighters arrived, they spoke with the store manager, who reported smelling smoke when opening the restaurant and noting a faint haze inside the premises. Firefighters did a thorough assessment of the interior and examined rooftop mechanical equipment.

After doing the assessment, technicians discovered that the source of the smoke was a failing HVAC component. The problem was identified, and repairs were handled by the restaurant's service provider. No fire was located and no injuries were reported. Officials noted that early reporting of smoke or unusual odors allows firefighters to respond quickly and prevent potential emergencies.