10/13/2010
At approximately 3:30 p.m. yesterday, a fire broke out at the Village Crown Moroccan, a restaurant on Third Avenue across the street from Third North.
Fire trucks blocked off parts of Third Avenue, as firefighters extended a ladder in front of the building where the flames appeared. Although ambulances were on the scene, no injuries were reported.
According to authorities, leftover grease in the exterior duct caught fire. The fire spread through the duct and shot up to the roof, where it could be seen from neighboring buildings.
Battalion Chief Wayne Mera, one of the first firefighters at the scene, said the fire stayed relatively isolated and putting it out was "routine."
"The fire was confined to the duct, which was on the exterior of the building," he said.
Lieutenant Patrick McCarvill, another firefighter on the scene, said the fire trucks arrived before the fire caused any major damage.
"It was not that dangerous," he said. "[But] if we were any later it could have burned through the exterior duct and reached the building."
Neighboring restaurants were unaffected by the fire. Employees of New Amici, a pizzeria near the restaurant, said their phone service was disconnected during the incident.
Saad Haid witnessed the fire while waiting for a friend.
"There was a little bit of smoke, and then immediately within seconds, firefighters were here," he said. "Some ambulances came too in case of any medical casualties."
The fire was extinguished within an hour, and all responders left the scene.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. yesterday, a fire broke out at the Village Crown Moroccan, a restaurant on Third Avenue across the street from Third North.
Fire trucks blocked off parts of Third Avenue, as firefighters extended a ladder in front of the building where the flames appeared. Although ambulances were on the scene, no injuries were reported.
According to authorities, leftover grease in the exterior duct caught fire. The fire spread through the duct and shot up to the roof, where it could be seen from neighboring buildings.
Battalion Chief Wayne Mera, one of the first firefighters at the scene, said the fire stayed relatively isolated and putting it out was "routine."
"The fire was confined to the duct, which was on the exterior of the building," he said.
Lieutenant Patrick McCarvill, another firefighter on the scene, said the fire trucks arrived before the fire caused any major damage.
"It was not that dangerous," he said. "[But] if we were any later it could have burned through the exterior duct and reached the building."
Neighboring restaurants were unaffected by the fire. Employees of New Amici, a pizzeria near the restaurant, said their phone service was disconnected during the incident.
Saad Haid witnessed the fire while waiting for a friend.
"There was a little bit of smoke, and then immediately within seconds, firefighters were here," he said. "Some ambulances came too in case of any medical casualties."
The fire was extinguished within an hour, and all responders left the scene.
