Thursday, May 28, 2015

GREASE FIRE IN THE KITCHEN HOOD VENT SYSTEM IN THE ATTIC AT THE FISH MARKET RESTAURANT CAUSES $1.2 MILLION DAMAGE IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO, CA







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.