Fire Damages Venice Restaurant

VENICE, CA — An early morning fire gutted a sushi restaurant in the Venice area Wednesday, but no one was hurt.

The fire was reported at Wabi Venice, 1635 S. Abbott Kinney Blvd., at 5:41 a.m., said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The blaze, which burned through the roof, was sparked by an electrical problem, according to the LAFD.

Firefighters extinguished the flames in 37 minutes. The business was closed at the time.
According to restaurant spokeswoman Rebecca Brando, the eatery was days away from hosting its annual holiday charity event, "Wabi Winter Wonderland," to benefit the Los Angeles County Department of Children Family Services. The fundraiser was to have been hosted by actress Meagan Good, she said.

The fire destroyed one-of-kind art pieces by Bay Area artist Laura Kimpton that were on display at restaurant, Brando said.

Wabi Venice, once known as Wabi Sabi, has been a fixture in the Venice Beach area since 1992.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock