MAY 27, 2015
DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO, CA
A fire at The Fish Market restaurant on the Embarcadero
caused an estimated $1.2 million in damage Wednesday night, a fire official
said.
The grease fire started in the kitchen hood vent system in
the attic, said Lee Swanson, spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue
Department. It was reported about 6:20 p.m.
About 160 patrons and 75 employees were in the restaurant at
the time, said port spokeswoman Tanya Castaneda. The popular restaurant, which
is a port tenant, is located on San Diego Bay near the USS Midway.
Some people self-evacuated, while San Diego Harbor Police
assisted in evacuating others, Castaneda said. No one was injured.
Large amounts of black smoke were seen billowing from the
roof as firefighters arrived, most of it blowing toward the downtown area. Two
ladder trucks were extended to the roof. Firefighters cut holes in the roof and
the restaurant’s ceiling, Swanson said.
Fire damage was contained to the attic, while the restaurant
had smoke and water damage on the first and second floors, he said.
About 35 firefighters and support personnel responded,
quickly putting out the initial fire. Several smaller fires were found in the
attic, where access was difficult because of the heating/air conditioning vents
and ducts, Swanson said.
Castaneda said she did not know how long the restaurant
would be closed.