Small bun warmer fire forces temporary closure of Centralia McDonald's

A small fire in a bun warmer at the McDonald’s on Broadway in Centralia, Illinois forced the restaurant to close temporarily while firefighters responded and inspected the kitchen area on Thursday morning, Feb. 19, 2026. Local reporting described the incident as narrow and occurring in the early morning hours, prompting an immediate call for emergency response.

The blaze was reported in the bun warmer and adjacent kitchen space, according to local accounts that referenced an employee at the scene. Firefighters arrived quickly and conducted an inspection of the affected equipment and surrounding areas; the response focused on the bun warmer unit and the small area of the kitchen where smoke was observed.

Because the fire occurred during breakfast service hours, the Centralia location halted operations as crews evaluated safety risks and inspected cooking equipment. The temporary closure removed the store from service for customers in the immediate morning window, affecting staff scheduled for early shifts and nearby commuters who rely on the restaurant for morning orders.

Local emergency crews inspected the scene to determine the cause and scope of damage to the bun warmer and kitchen fixtures. Reports from the inspection stage emphasized that the event was confined to the bun warmer area, though specific findings from fire investigators and any follow-up safety orders for equipment were not detailed in the initial coverage.

Initial local reporting did not include information on injuries, estimated damage costs, or the exact timeline for reopening after the inspection on Feb. 19, 2026. The Centralia McDonald’s remained closed during the firefighters’ response and inspection, and follow-up details about repairs or a return to service have not been provided in the available accounts.