Atlanta Hwy. grocery store damaged in fire

GAINESVILLE - A grocery store on Atlanta Highway sustained damage early Friday morning, but fire investigators said a sprinkler system saved the business.

Gainesville Fire Capt. Keith Smith said crews were called to La Flor de Jalisco just before 6 a.m.

"On arrival, our units did find heavy smoke in the business and did have to force their way into a metal door," said Smith. "Once they got in the store, they did find that there were several sprinkler heads that had activated."

Fire Marshal Chad Payne said it appeared the origin of the fire was a Faulty condensation line pump on a refrigeration unit. He said the fire burned the back of the unit and some product near the unit, which activated the four sprinkler heads in the area.

Damage estimate has been placed at $150,000.