Fire At Rainbow Sushi On Harvard St Disrupts Morning Commute

BROOKLINE, MA— At least two firefighters were injured and the 66 MBTA Bus and traffic were rerouted, causing major disruptions in Coolidge Corner Wednesday morning, as firefighters worked to put out a fire at 187 Harvard.

Around 6:30 a.m. firefighters were called to the brick building near the corner of Harvard and Alton Place for a report of a fire.

When firefighters arrived smoke was visible from the building, but when they opened the back door to Rainbow Sushi, where the kitchen was, flames poured out.

Just around 7 a.m. Brookline firefighters had been put out the fire, and checked the other businesses for traces of fire. At 8 a.m. the sushi restaurant's kitchen was almost unrecognizable as such, the ceiling torn as stacks of plates sat covered in ash and soot at the back of the building.

No word yet on damage estimates, but firefighters told the building manager there was minimal water damage in the basement and that the fire had mostly been contained to the kitchen.

The businesses which sit on either side of the restaurant, a dental center and the Brookline Dry Cleaners had fans going to help with the heavy smell of smoke. Both said they would not be open Wednesday on account of the fire.

Rainbow Sushi, which took the place of Haru, was one of the businesses at 185-203 Harvard St., which are all part of the same building and property. The property owner is listed as belonging to Demetrios Macropoulos et al, care of Alton Realty Trust. The building was last accessed at a value of $1.5 million. The land was assessed as being worth $3.8 million.

Even at 9 a.m. traffic was moving, but slowly past the area. Watch for serious lingering delays in the area.

Breaking: More details to come.

Speaking of Coolidge Corner, read this:

Coolidge Corner: What's Empty, What's New, What's Coming

Photos by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff