Kitchen Fire Damages Greenwich Restaurant [UPDATE] [VIDEO]

Updated 11:55 p.m.:

The fire that damaged the Japanese Steakhouse on Greenwich apparently had smouldered for some time before spewing flames through the ventilation system of the popular eatery at 381 Greenwich Ave.

"The hood system ... was literally on fire," said Deputy Chief Keith Millette who lead a team of more than 30 firefighters to douse the fire reported at 4:20 p.m. Thursday. He credited the quick work of a Greenwich Police officer who saw thick, black smoke billowing from the roof of the building.

"The Greenwich police officer did an excellent job of clearing pedestrians, patrons and traffic … and kudos for them for doing that. He did a good job of keeping everybody out of our way," said Millette.

Officer Thomas Huestis said he was working an extra-duty job for in an alley across the street when he saw the smoke. Huestis was  heard on police radio transmissions reporting there was thick, black smoke in the restaurant and its kitchen. He also was heard reporting he was evacuating the building as fire crews rolled out of their headquarters, about 3 blocks away.

"As soon as I pulled out of fire station, I could see the smoke," Millette said. A total 8 fire department apparatus plus 2 utility crew trucks, and 2 Greenwich Emergency Medical Service crews were at the scene. Dozens of onlookers stood across the street watching firefighters who filled the lower portion of Greenwich Avenue during the height of rush-hour traffic and holiday shopping.

"The police officer did an excellent job of clearing pedestrians, patrons and traffic … and kudos for them for doing that," Millette said. "He did a good job of keeping everybody out of our way."

Several people were seen asking — unsuccessfully — police and fire personnel whether they could somehow extricate their vehicles from the area. Several trucks — including a ladder truck — blocked the parked vehicles.

"It was a slow (fire) … then it erupted. It obviously occurred when no one in the kitchen," Millette added.

Millette also said that firefighters checked the buildings on either side of the restaurant, including the shop at 383 Greenwich Ave. and that there did not appear to be any substantial to either one. The cause of the fire is under investigation. He referred further questions to the fire marshals' office.

Firefighters remained at the scene until 8:25 p.m.

Original story:

Greenwich firefighters made quick work of a smoky kitchen blaze at the on Greenwich Avenue that spread to the roof late Thursday afternoon.

Officer Thomas Huestis was working an extra job nearby and noticed black smoke coming from the building around 4:30 p.m. He ran through an alley to the restaurant at 381 Greenwich Ave. He radioed headquarters where dispatchers sent a full compliment of equipment.

Dolly Kurji said that when she arrived home to her third floor apartment at 375 Greenwich Ave., "There was smoke inside and I thought my son was cooking." But when she and her family looked out a window, they saw flames on the roof of the restaurant next door. "We saw huge flames coming from the the exhaust fan and then it collapsed," Kurji said.

No injuries were immediately reported and crews began leaving the scene about an hour later. Greenwich Fire Marshals remain at the scene investigating.

Song H. Paek, owner of , next door to the restaurant, said  13 employees and at least 5 customers had to evacuate his salon, during the hectic holiday season.

While fire crews were at the scene, traffic was blocked from the lower half of Greenwich Avenue, at Arch Street.

With contributed video by Naureen Kurji.