Essex firefighters tackled a blaze at a two-storey restaurant and cocktail bar after it burst into flames in the early hours of this morning. A team of six fire crews from across Essex and Hertfordshire rushed to Erman’s Kitchen, in Fore Street, Harlow, at around 4am.
Essex County Fire & Rescue Service confirmed the incident on Twitter at 5.45am. The fire service was met with a smoke filled building with flames ripping through the restaurant from the roof area.
Crews divided the area into sectors to allow them to surround the fire and make the scene safe as quickly as possible. At 6.30am the team had the fire under control.
While the flames were put out, the fire crews are still at the scene, to cool the building and then carry out investigation work. People have been asked to avoid the area and a road closure is in place.
James Taylor, Group Manager at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are likely to be here for some time making the scene safe before completing a fire investigation to understand the cause of the fire.
“With that in mind, please avoid the area if you’re planning to travel this morning and allow extra time to your journey if you live or work nearby. Thank you for your co-operation.”
RISKY BUSINESS: RESTAURANTS
Emir Kilic, founder of EFE Fire & Electrical Ltd., fire alarm company operating also in Harlow, noted that electrical kitchen appliances and stoves are the most common causes of kitchen fires therefore restaurants and take-aways are at more risk than other businesses.
Emir Kilic, founder of EFE Fire & Electrical Ltd which also carries out fire alarm maintenace in Harlow, points out that failing to clean the ducting in your extraction system regularly, building electrical systems not according to law, failing to carry out periodic tests and making additions required by law are some of the most common causes of restaurant fires. Electric kitchen appliances and electrical systems must also be properly maintained and tested in order to prevent electric fires.
Kilic also adds that not working with an insured and certified fire safety company and failing to get proper annual and bi-annual fire alarm and fire safety maintenance and servicing could result insurance companies not to compensate for damages in case of a fire incident. And if there are residents around those business premises could lead to loss of lives and that’s why fire safety may be the most important necessity of any food business.
