(Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP) Firefighters mask up in preparation to enter Chicken 'n' Chips to fight the fire that broke out around 11 a.m. Monday in the landmark eatery at 12 West Hollis St. No injuries were reported but the building was gutted.

NASHUA — The investigation into the cause of the 2-alarm fire that gutted longtime downtown Nashua eatery Chicken ‘n’ Chips Monday morning continues today.

Flames broke out at the restaurant, at 12 W. Hollis St., shortly before the lunch hour Monday.

Firefighters answering the alarm arrived to find heavy smoke billowing from the single-story concrete block building, and they soon located flames coming from the roof over the kitchen area.

There were no reports of injuries to firefighters or civilians.

Crews were summoned around 11 a.m., and they began seeing smoke as they approached the scene.

(Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP) Heavy smoke billows from longtime Nashua eatery Chicken 'n' Chips Monday morning as firefighters make their way to the source of the fire on the roof.

Initial indications were that the fire may have started in the kitchen, and possibly involved a fryolator.

Members of the city Fire Marshal’s office responded, and once the fire was declared under control, they began their investigation to determine the official cause and point of origin.

Whether the building can be rebuilt isn’t known, but the damage was such that it isn’t habitable for the time being.

The restaurant, at the corner of West Hollis and Maple streets, was opened roughly 50 years ago by the late Jim Sherburne, a Hudson resident who sold the business about 20 years ago.

Two men also from Hudson are listed in city property records as the current owners.

(Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP) Nashua firefighters grab tools upon arrival at the scene of Monday's fire, which heavily damaged landmark restaurant Chicken 'n' Chips. No injuries were reported; the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

(Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP) Heavy smoke billows from longtime Nashua eatery Chicken 'n' Chips Monday morning as Deputy Chief Robert Barrows heads to the west side of the building, where crews were battling flames that shot through the roof over the kitchen area.