Fire from Accumulated Grease Forces Temporary Closure of Burger King

The Burger King on San Pablo and Central avenues in El Cerrito is closed temporarily because of a cooking hood fire that broke out Wednesday morning, El Cerrito Fire Marshall Michael Bond said.

No one was injured in the blaze that was reported to the fire department at 10:30 a.m.

Owner Arjang Sohrabi said today that he hopes to reopen for business by Saturday.

"It was purely a lack of maintenance," Bond said, noting the new owner had taken over only two weeks ago and had an appointment to have the hood cleaned next week.

A relatively large number of fire units—four engines and one fire truck from the El Cerrito, Kensington and Richmond fire departments—responded to the fire because of the potential that it could spread, Bond said.

"We had flames showing through the roof," he said. Damage ended up being relatively small, he said, citiing an estimate of possibly $50,000.

Several repair trucks were parked in the Burger King lot this afternoon with workmen inside the restaurant.