Yellowknife (Mar 30/05) - Customers at the Gold Range Bistro had to leave their morning coffee behind Monday, after Yellowknife firefighters came to investigate a report of smoke coming from the restaurant's basement.

It was a busy day for the Yellowknife Fire Dept. The call came in around 10 a.m., just a couple hours before a massive funeral procession was set to begin for firefighter Lieutenant Cyril Fife, who died last week after being injured fighting a fire March 17.

Several firefighters responded to the call, but left after about 10 minutes when it became clear there was no fire.

Bistro cook Ray Wilkening said the smoke came from a burnt out compressor pump downstairs.

He said there was quite a lot of smoke at first but it had dissipated by the time firefighters arrived.

Customers quickly filed back into the restaurant once it became clear there was no danger.

Wilkening said it was a shame firefighters were forced into action on the day of their mourning.

"It's kind of a poor way for this to happen," said Wilkening.

The Yellowknife Fire Dept. couldn't be reached to comment.