SANFORD — Several employees of Smitty’s Cinema had to be evacuated from the Main Street theater Wednesday after a fire broke out on a kitchen stove.

Sanford Fire Chief Jeff Rowe said the fire did not affect any patrons because afternoon matinees had not started.

The fire which was reported just before 3 p.m. was extinguished within a matter of minutes, and did not extend beyond the kitchen area, Rowe said.