CARLSBAD -- Despite a small fire during the lunch-hour rush, it was business as usual Thursday afternoon for two Paseo Del Norte market-eateries, employees said.

The fire ignited some pallets and boxes behind the Carlsbad Ranch Market at about 11:45 a.m. and had started to spread to the structure, Fire Battalion Chief Mike Davis said.

Firefighters were able to stop the flames before they got inside the building, which is shared with the Tip Top Meats butcher and restaurant, Davis said.

About 50 people were evacuated from the businesses during the fire, but at least some stuck around to grab lunch an hour later, a Tip Top Meats employee said.

Both businesses were busy with customers by 3 p.m.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, officials said.