Fire at Altoona Restaurant

A fire at the Gourmet Buffet restaurant in Altoona sent diners and shoppers from nearby businesses fleeing the scene on Sunday. The restaurant is located along West Plank Road in the plaza with Gabe’s and Hobby Lobby, behind the Logan Valley Mall. They also closed off the plaza after discovering a possible gas leak, but none was ever found. A Logan Township Volunteer Company fire engine rushing to the scene crashed into a minivan at the nearby intersection of Logan Boulevard and 6th Avenue, according to Altoona Police. Minor injuries for people who were in the van were reported in that crash.