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The renovation of a restaurant space in downtown Portland was set back today when a grease duct caught fire during a welding job, .

HVAC subcontrator Bulldog Mechanical-Remodeling was connecting a new ventilation hood when a spark hit old grease left over from when the building was a Carl’s Jr. at Southwest Fifth Avenue and Taylor Street.

“We thought we took all the precautions with the existing grease,” said project superintendent Chris Riley with general contractor T.J. Nisbet Construction. “Something went haywire.”

Riley said they had fire extinguishers at the ready, but the fire grew too large too quickly. The fire caused the evacuation of several nearby business and caused traffic commotion downtown before it was extinguished.

“We did our best but it just took off so rapidly,” he said. “It was out of control.”

Crews were renovating the space to house a new Veggie Grill restaurant.

Riley said it’s too early to speculate as to the damage or delay in construction.

“It’s a good thing nobody’s hurt,” he said, “and there’s no structural damage or building damage.”