Electrical fire closes Cheese Shop this a.m.

Employees at The Cheese Shop on Germantown Avenue had a frightening start to the day when a fuse panel in the basement apparently short-circuited and started an electrical fire.

Cheese shop employee Adam Serfass said he and owner John Ingersoll heard a sound that sounded like an electric sizzle at about 8:30 this a.m. When he and Ingersoll went into the basement they saw massive sparks and Serfass called 911.

There appeared to be no damage to the shop. The shop was dark and passersby could smell smoke. The shop will likely remain closed for several hours as workers repair the circuit panel and check for other problems.