Cambridge's Café of India ordered to clean grease after fires
Firefighters responded to Cafe of India at 52 Brattle StPosted Feb 25, 2010 @ 11:31 AM
Cambridge — Café of India is no stranger to kitchen fires. Four of them in 12 years, to be exact.
That’s why the Brattle Street restaurant was before the city’s License Commission following concerns from Cambridge Fire Chief Gerald Reardon.
“The chief is concerned about it,” said License Commission Chairman Richard Scali.
Café of India last suffered a duct fire in the kitchen on Dec. 30, causing about $10,000 worth of damage. On Jan. 21, 2008, the Harvard Square restaurant experience a similar fire, causing fire crews to close down the street to tackle the flames.
On Tuesday night, commission members discussed with the Café of India owner about what measures have been taken to prevent future fires from occurring.
Fire Prevention Captain Steve Brogan said he has worked with the restaurant on replacing its solid-fuel oven to one that operates with natural gas, along with adding new smoke alarms in the building.
“That should eliminate a lot of the problems,” he said.
The restaurant must also hire a licensed company to clean out grease buildup from the ductwork three times a year.
“They went for years without a clean-out of the ductwork,” Brogan said.
If the regulations are not met, Café of India could be shut down or cited for noncompliance.
“We try to keep the restaurants open,” said Brogan. “But there’s a line you’ve got to draw.”
Phillip Levin, owner of the nearby clothing boutique Settebello on Brattle Street, said he is still concerned for future fires.
“We are very concerned about these fires,” he said. “I can’t ignore a lot of the history. I don’t really have much confidence that this is going to change.”
Richard Cohen of CGI Management and owner of the building at 52 Brattle St. where Café of India and a number of student apartments are housed, said the building has undergone upgrades, along with heat detectors on its duct work.
“I think the restaurant has to be diligent with cleaning,” he said.
Commission members voted to take the matter under advisement in order to look at fire reports and inspections, and plan to further discuss it on March 4.
Cleaning Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Systems Since 1971
5734 Bankfield Avenue
Culver City, California 90230
310-636-8361 x 203
Grant Mogford
Firefighters responded to Cafe of India at 52 Brattle StPosted Feb 25, 2010 @ 11:31 AM
Cambridge — Café of India is no stranger to kitchen fires. Four of them in 12 years, to be exact.
That’s why the Brattle Street restaurant was before the city’s License Commission following concerns from Cambridge Fire Chief Gerald Reardon.
“The chief is concerned about it,” said License Commission Chairman Richard Scali.
Café of India last suffered a duct fire in the kitchen on Dec. 30, causing about $10,000 worth of damage. On Jan. 21, 2008, the Harvard Square restaurant experience a similar fire, causing fire crews to close down the street to tackle the flames.
On Tuesday night, commission members discussed with the Café of India owner about what measures have been taken to prevent future fires from occurring.
Fire Prevention Captain Steve Brogan said he has worked with the restaurant on replacing its solid-fuel oven to one that operates with natural gas, along with adding new smoke alarms in the building.
“That should eliminate a lot of the problems,” he said.
The restaurant must also hire a licensed company to clean out grease buildup from the ductwork three times a year.
“They went for years without a clean-out of the ductwork,” Brogan said.
If the regulations are not met, Café of India could be shut down or cited for noncompliance.
“We try to keep the restaurants open,” said Brogan. “But there’s a line you’ve got to draw.”
Phillip Levin, owner of the nearby clothing boutique Settebello on Brattle Street, said he is still concerned for future fires.
“We are very concerned about these fires,” he said. “I can’t ignore a lot of the history. I don’t really have much confidence that this is going to change.”
Richard Cohen of CGI Management and owner of the building at 52 Brattle St. where Café of India and a number of student apartments are housed, said the building has undergone upgrades, along with heat detectors on its duct work.
“I think the restaurant has to be diligent with cleaning,” he said.
Commission members voted to take the matter under advisement in order to look at fire reports and inspections, and plan to further discuss it on March 4.
Cleaning Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Systems Since 1971
5734 Bankfield Avenue
Culver City, California 90230
310-636-8361 x 203
Grant Mogford
