PRAIRIEVILLE - No one was inside Sammy's Grill on Perkins Road when it caught fire late Wednesday night, Prairieville Fire officials said.

Firefighters arrived at 10:04 p.m. to find the rear of the restaurant on fire.

"No one was on the premises. We actually had to force entry into the building. I believe from what the crews were telling me, there was like a boiling room in the back behind the main dining area, and that's where the origin of the fire was," Ascension Fire District 3 Deputy Chief Patrick Carpenter said.

Several people who live nearby say they were woken up by the scene.

"We were sleeping, and we got up and just saw all the fire trucks," Prairieville resident Paul Brignac told WBRZ.

Within 45 minutes, fire crews, including members of the St. George Fire Department, were able to secure the fire.

The investigation is now being led by the State Fire Marshal's Office. On Thursday, one of the managers told WBRZ that it has been a very tough week for Sammy's Grill, after the Highland Road location closed its doors.

"With them losing the lease at the Baton Rouge location, and this is their sole other lease, I really feel for the employees at this time," Carpenter said.

Officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but the restaurant said it was an electrical fire.

"At this time, Sammy's Prairieville will be closed until further notice as we assess the damage and determine our next steps. After an already emotional week with the closure of our Highland location, this is another heartbreaking challenge. We are so thankful for the love, prayers, and support from our incredible community. Your kindness means the world to us," Sammy's posted on social media.

Residents told WBRZ Sammy's was a popular spot to eat, especially during Crawfish season.

"We loved that place. We've eaten there before. They have great food, and I was really sad to hear about it. My husband and his work would go there on Mondays. They loved the red beans and rice," Toni Lorio said.