Kitchen Fires

Blaze Wrecks Famous Curry House

Date: 18th December 2006

One of Glasgow's best known restaurants, the Cafe India, has been completely destroyed by fire.

The spectacular blaze could be seen for miles as Christmas shoppers watched fire fighters trying to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjacent properties, including the city's Mitchell Library.

The venue was to host dozens of Christmas parties which now will have to be cancelled or rebooked in other restaurants.

It was claimed that the fire started after the ventilation canopy for an oven used to cook naan bread caught fire and spread to the roof. A chef at Cafe India, was one of five workers in the building when the fire started. He said: "We were cleaning up the restaurant. I put coal in the oven we use to make naan bread to get it heated up and ready for later. I saw a small fire and I put water on it to try and put it out. But the canopy where the smoke goes had already caught fire and we had to get out."

Severe blaze engulfed restaurant

Date: 18th December 2006

Firefighters were called out to tackle what they described as a severe blaze in a restaurant.

When they reached the Ashoka in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, they were met with a well-developed fire in the restaurant's kitchen.

Eight firefighters were initially withdrawn because of the danger posed by the collapse of the roof.

Five pumping appliances and two high-reach appliances battled the blaze throughout Friday afternoon.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Recently, a fire in an Indian restaurant brought part of Glasgow city centre to a standstill.

No-one was injured as a result of the blaze at Cafe India, which was not open for business at the time.

Glasgow Restaurant Hit By Blaze

Date: 24th December 2006

Meanwhile in Scotland, the world famous Buttery Restaurant in the west end of Glasgow has been badly damaged after fire broke out in its kitchens.

Firefighters fought the blaze in Argyle Street, Glasgow, for more than six hours and relief crews had to be sent.

The Buttery first opened in 1869 and has been rated the seventh best place to eat in the world by a respected internet restaurant guide.

It was praised by globe-trotting rocker Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, who recently described a meal there as "one of the best I've had in around 60,000 miles".

Last Sunday, another Glasgow restaurant, Cafe India, was hit by fire.