Grant
Administrator
Jun 22, 2006
BUSINESS: Fire temporarily closes Ridgefield Deli
By Austin Moran
A Saturday morning grease fire forced the Ridgefield Deli and Grocery to close its doors this week, pending repairs and inspection by the Health Department and fire marshal’s office.
According to Ridgefield Deli owner Abdul Jabbar, the fire started Saturday morning after Mr. Jabbar’s son, Zeshan, came in before dawn to update the day’s menus on the computer. Mr. Jabbar said his son turned on the deli’s electric grill, then proceeded to the downstairs office, where he lost track of time.
Mr. Jabbar said an early customer arriving for his first cup of weekend coffee noticed smoke emanating from the vent above the grill at the rear of the building. “The customer informed the fire department,” Mr. Jabbar said.
A general alarm summoned all available Ridgefield firefighters, said Fire Marshal David Lathrop. Firefighters reached the 590 Danbury Road deli at 7:21 a.m., Mr. Lathrop said. The fire, which was “contained to the grill and back wall” under the ventilation hood, was “brought under control in 10 to 20 minutes, ” Mr. Lathrop said.
Health Director Ed Briggs told The Press that in all likelihood deli will have to buy a new grill in order to pass inspections.
Mr. Briggs added that his department would also “check out the stainless steel” frame around the unit to ensure it is safe to use for preparing food.
After the burned area has been cleaned and sanitized, Mr. Lathrop said, his department would need to inspect the structural integrity of the deli’s back wall and the functioning of its fire alarm system. Once those checks are finished, the deli will get a green light to unlock its door for patrons.
On Tuesday, Mr. Jabbar said he was trying to make that happen as soon as he could.
“We will be open Monday almost definitely,” he said.
BUSINESS: Fire temporarily closes Ridgefield Deli
By Austin Moran
A Saturday morning grease fire forced the Ridgefield Deli and Grocery to close its doors this week, pending repairs and inspection by the Health Department and fire marshal’s office.
According to Ridgefield Deli owner Abdul Jabbar, the fire started Saturday morning after Mr. Jabbar’s son, Zeshan, came in before dawn to update the day’s menus on the computer. Mr. Jabbar said his son turned on the deli’s electric grill, then proceeded to the downstairs office, where he lost track of time.
Mr. Jabbar said an early customer arriving for his first cup of weekend coffee noticed smoke emanating from the vent above the grill at the rear of the building. “The customer informed the fire department,” Mr. Jabbar said.
A general alarm summoned all available Ridgefield firefighters, said Fire Marshal David Lathrop. Firefighters reached the 590 Danbury Road deli at 7:21 a.m., Mr. Lathrop said. The fire, which was “contained to the grill and back wall” under the ventilation hood, was “brought under control in 10 to 20 minutes, ” Mr. Lathrop said.
Health Director Ed Briggs told The Press that in all likelihood deli will have to buy a new grill in order to pass inspections.
Mr. Briggs added that his department would also “check out the stainless steel” frame around the unit to ensure it is safe to use for preparing food.
After the burned area has been cleaned and sanitized, Mr. Lathrop said, his department would need to inspect the structural integrity of the deli’s back wall and the functioning of its fire alarm system. Once those checks are finished, the deli will get a green light to unlock its door for patrons.
On Tuesday, Mr. Jabbar said he was trying to make that happen as soon as he could.
“We will be open Monday almost definitely,” he said.