Fire damages Zia's restaurant on The Hill

Fire damages Zia's restaurant on The Hill

A fire destroyed the kitchen of Zia's restaurant on The Hill early Wednesday morning. (Erik M. Lunsford/P-D)By Kim Bell
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/12/2009

ST. LOUIS -- Zia's restaurant, a presence on The Hill for 26 years, was damaged by fire early Wednesday.

The fire broke out about 1 a.m. Wednesday inside the restaurant at 5256 Wilson Avenue.


"Our kitchen has been damaged pretty bad, but the whole dining area wasn't damaged," said owner Dennis Chiodini. "It was all in the back, in the kitchen."

Chiodini has owned the restaurant 26 years.

"We don't really know how long we're going to be down," he said. "Maybe a month, I don't know."

Capt. Bob Keuss of the St. Louis Fire Department said investigators have ruled the fire accidental. They haven't pinpointed a cause, but did rule out any foul play, he said.

"It started around the grease vent in the hood of the kitchen and extended up to the rear porch area on the second floor," Keuss said.

Keuss said the kitchen and second floor sustained moderate damage.