State deputy fire marshal in Pendleton asks public for information on hoax calls.
Three local McDonald’s restaurants had to shut down after prank calls Sunday afternoon convinced employees to activate fire suppression systems.
Deputy state fire marshal Scott Goff in Pendleton said the calls targeted the McDonald’s in Hermiston, Pendleton, the Pilot Travel Center, Stanfield, and the Arrowhead Travel Plaza on the Umatilla Indian Reservation near Pendleton. The caller claimed to represent a fire protection equipment company that remotely monitored the fire suppression systems and asked staff to test those.
Employees at Stanfield, Pendleton and Arrowhead activated the systems, Goff said, causing a cascade of “wet chemical extinguishing agent” to cover deep fryers and more. He said he heard reports of this happening to McDonald’s in the Tri-Cities, Washington, as well.
“After staff activated the systems, then whoever it was on the phone let them know it was a prank,” Goff said.
The chemicals work to smother grease fires, and while the wet chemicals do not get all over the restaurant, Goff explained, it does make a mess, and the restaurants shut down temporarily.
Staff at the Arrowhwead McDonald’s reported the restaurant would be fully operational Monday evening, and Pendleton could be down until Tuesday morning. The Stanfield restaurant was open on Monday morning.
Goff said the fire suppression systems are not remotely controlled or monitored, and any testing must be done on site.
Goff notified Pendleton Fire Chief Mike Ciraulo and others about the pranks. Ciraulo said fire agencies do not call people to have them test systems.
“We will personally visit you — a fire marshal, chief or personnel will arrive to test the system,” he said.
Ciraulo also said people can call the fire department if they have questions or want to seek verification. Goff said he would like to know who was making the calls and asked anyone with that sort of information to call him at his office: 541-276-4076.