ST. PETERSBURG - Lunch patrons at a downtown restaurant were evacuated Friday after a small electrical surge caused an air conditioning unit to send smoke into the building.
A fan burned out in one of the air conditioning units at Mattison's, 111 Second Ave. NE, and caused smoke to enter the ventilation system, manager Joe Sango said.
The smoke entered the restaurant about 12:30 p.m. About 35 patrons were eating at the time, and about half chose to remain and eat outside.
