Gary fire today destroys Denny's next to Love's gas station near I-80/94

GARY, Ind. (WLS) -- Firefighters are working to put out hot spots after a massive fire destroyed a Denny's restaurant in Gary, Indiana Thursday.

Officials said the fire began burning next to the Love's Gas Station along I-80/94 around 10:40 a.m. Chopper7 was over the scene around 12:30 p.m.

A Denny's restaurant was destroyed by a massive fire in Gary Thursday afternoon.

A spokesperson for Gary said there was an elevated risk due to the fuel tanks on the property. A witness told ABC7 he saw employees immediately run out and turn off gas pumps.

"They evacuated everyone out over there," witness Louis Brown said. "I seen people still trying to pump gas for some reason."

The Gary Fire Department is on the scene battling the fire and assisting with traffic control. Commuters are being asked to divert their traffic away from Grant Street between the expressway and 35th Avenue to allow for emergency vehicle operations.

The fire department is also asking that people do not come to the area to sightsee or take photos.

No injuries were reported.