Electricians were due to begin repairing Chen’s Kitchen on Monday, after the ceiling and roof of the restaurant were damaged in a weekend fire.
The blaze began on Saturday at 11:08 a.m. at the Chinese restaurant on Westville’s downtown drag. Sparks flew in the transformer behind an illuminated sign attached to the building. The fire spread to the roof of 883 Whalley Ave., but was quickly contained, explained Steve Miller, a property manager for the building.
Inside the restaurant on Monday, the ceiling was completely gone and lights and wiring hung down everywhere. From the sidewalk, there was a visible hole on the roof and the upper third of the wall that fronts on Whalley Avenue.
“The fire department did a great job,” Miller said. Thanks to the quick reaction of firefighters, Chen’s suffered mainly from smoke and water damage.
“The fire went swell,” said New Haven Fire Department Chief Michael Grant. He said it was extinguished in under a half-hour.
The business was closed until the health department gives permission to reopen, said Deputy Fire Chief Ralph Black.
The business was fully insured and Miller said that he anticipates that the restaurant will reopen within a couple of weeks.
Adjacent businesses were not damaged by the fire.
I look forward to "Chess Kichay" reopening very soon! 60% as good as Chao, with 40% of the wait time.