Over $1 million in damages in fire at August 8 restaurant

A multiple-alarm fire caused more than $1 million in damages at August 8 restaurant on Upper James Street overnight.

Over a dozen fire trucks and two aerial trucks responded to the blaze at the one-storey building, just north of the Lincoln Alexander Parkway, shortly after midnight Friday.

Chief Dave Cunliffe said in a news release that the first fire crews on scene were met with heavy smoke and flames visible from the roof area at the front of the restaurant, which specializes in dim sum and sushi.

The fire was immediately upgraded to a second alarm, bringing resources from across the city.

Firefighters immediately began fighting and extinguishing the fire," said assistant deputy chief Steve Welton. He also said two staff members in the restaurant had already exited the building before the fire crew arrived and that no one was inside."

There were no reports of injuries.

According to the release, about one-third of the roof collapsed early in the incident, prompting firefighters to focus their operations on the building's exterior.

This was a well-involved fire that was advancing through the attic and roof area of the building," Cunliffe said.

He also said in the release the fire was brought under control within 45 minutes or so, while Welton told The Spectator crews remained on scene throughout the night."

The Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified of the incident and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Cunliffe said the restaurant sustained significant damage including structural collapse." Damages are believed to be in excess of $1 million.

Ritika Dubey is a reporter at The Spectator. rdubey@thespec.com