Diners evacuated as fire breaks out at restaurant

Diners were evacuated from a Hamilton restaurant yesterday after a fire broke out in a basement kitchen.

The small blaze broke out at 1pm in Little Venice on Par-la-Ville Road.

Dozens of customers from the eatery and its neigbour, L’Oriental, had to leave their meals while firefighters tackled the fire.

Staff from nearby office blocks were also evacuated.

While fire crewsarrived, smoke was billowing from the restaurant kitchen and many staff and customers were already in the street.

Two firefighters in breathing apparatusentered the premises and extinguished the flames.

Electricians from BELCO worked to isolate power to the restaurant.

Nine firefighters dealt with the blaze and used mechanical ventilation to disperse the smoke.

Police closed Par-la-Ville Road and Bermudiana Road for more than two hours. No one was injured and the fire is being investigated.