Richmond News
Ristorante Sorrento, Teddington, evacuated after fire
1:17pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
Staff urgently evacuated an Italian restaurant last night after a fire broke out in the kitchen. Firefighters arrived at Ristorante Sorrento, in High Street, Teddington, at about 9.45pm and quickly tackled the flames.
David Mermina, son of the restaurant owner, said two customers had been eating but left just before the fire broke out.
He said: “They just left at the right time before the whole floor got smoked out. There were just two kitchen staff and two floor staff here.”
He said the restaurant re-opened for business today, Wednesday, February 22. Twickenham fire station said the blaze, which was believed to have started behind some aluminium ducting, destroyed 20 per cent of the kitchen and the smoke damaged 50 per cent.
Noel Hanson, watch manager at Twickenham fire station, said investigators were trying to discover the cause.
He said: “It was an accidental fire. No one was hurt and we managed to put the fire out safely.
“I want to stress the importance of fire safety when cooking with fat and deep fat frying. Try not to deal with it yourself.
“Also, everyone should make sure they have a working smoke alarm.”