A two-alarm, multi-engine fire in a kitchen flue at Maya restaurant shut down East Napa Street and First Street East Monday afternoon. Engine units responded at about 2:15 p.m. and were leaving the scene by 3:30.
The popular Mexican restaurant is located in the bottom floor of the historic Boccoli Building, erected in 1896.Tenants in the second floor include the Sonoma International Film Festival.
Smoke from the fire could be seen gusting out of the top of the building as a hook and ladder truck from the Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority raised a ladder to the roof of the restaurant to attack the fire from above.
Fire fighters also entered the kitchen area to spray water up the kitchen flue, but the flames inside the vertical, metal column could not be extinguished from below.
From the roof, fire fighters cut a sizeable hole near the flue and flooded the fire with a hose from above.
No cause was immediately known, but flue fires are a relatively common restaurant phenomenon, usually the product of accumulated grease and cooking debris. A fire marshal was due to inspect the site on Tuesday.
No official count on the number of fire fighters on scene was immediately available, but a rough head count indicated as many as 20.
Police cars blocked traffic on East Napa and First Street East below Napa.
There was no report of any injuries and employees of Maya and adjoining offices were able to evacuate the building without incident.
The restaurant area itself did not appear to be damaged, but smoke filled the building and a large quantity of water was sprayed into the structure from the roof.
Further information on the fire will be posted as it becomes available.
The popular Mexican restaurant is located in the bottom floor of the historic Boccoli Building, erected in 1896.Tenants in the second floor include the Sonoma International Film Festival.
Smoke from the fire could be seen gusting out of the top of the building as a hook and ladder truck from the Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority raised a ladder to the roof of the restaurant to attack the fire from above.
Fire fighters also entered the kitchen area to spray water up the kitchen flue, but the flames inside the vertical, metal column could not be extinguished from below.
From the roof, fire fighters cut a sizeable hole near the flue and flooded the fire with a hose from above.
No cause was immediately known, but flue fires are a relatively common restaurant phenomenon, usually the product of accumulated grease and cooking debris. A fire marshal was due to inspect the site on Tuesday.
No official count on the number of fire fighters on scene was immediately available, but a rough head count indicated as many as 20.
Police cars blocked traffic on East Napa and First Street East below Napa.
There was no report of any injuries and employees of Maya and adjoining offices were able to evacuate the building without incident.
The restaurant area itself did not appear to be damaged, but smoke filled the building and a large quantity of water was sprayed into the structure from the roof.
Further information on the fire will be posted as it becomes available.
