Shortly before 7 a.m. Saturday, a fire broke out in the deli kitchen area of the Shawnee Hy-Vee.
Firefighters say workers were setting up for the morning buffet, when a hot steno lighter was put in storage. It spilled and caught fire.
Employees tried to extinguish the fire and a sprinkler inside the store did activate.
Fire Marshall Cory Sands says the fire was put out fairly quickly, but there is extensive smoke damage throughout the store.
Sands says all opened food will be thrown out, with a value of about $300,000.
A quick staff response - and sprinkler activation - helped save over $1 million in food and items.
The store was evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
The Department of Agriculture has been called. They will have to inspect the store before it re-opens.
Sands says he expects the store will be able to re-open this afternoon.
