6 days ago
Restaurant burnt in blaze to remain closed today after Westquay fire
A restaurant that was torched in a kitchen blaze will remain closed today and reopen tomorrow after the fire caused Westquay South to be evacuated last night.
Shoppers were shocked just after 7.30pm, as eyewitnesses saw "10 fire engines" tackled the incident and fire alarms blared out in the building.
Westquay South was evacuated last night as firefighters rushed to a restaurant blaze, and eyewitness Graham Wiffen filmed the emergency response running hoses into the building via a delivery goods entrance.
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A large crowd watched on from outside Hollywood Bowl as a cordon was put in place on the Harbour Parade roundabout, including Graham Wiffen, who saw 10 engines "fully setup outside" after evacuating Showcase Cinema De Lux.
The Red Dog Saloon restaurant at Westquay South. (Image: Google Maps) Crews from St Mary's, Hightown, Redbridge, Eastleigh, and Southsea stations all rushed to the scene and hoses were ran into the Westquay South building via a delivery goods entrance.
READ MORE: Watch as firefighters gathered at Westquay to tackle restaurant blaze
Hampshire fire revealed that the fire originated "in the kitchen area" of the Red Dog Saloon restaurant.
A large crowd watched on after being evacuated. (Image: Graham Wiffen)The restaurant has since confirmed to the Echo that the fire was a "minor incident" but that the outlet will remain closed for the rest of the day.
A spokesperson for Red Dog Saloon said: "No one was hurt and we will be open again by tomorrow."
All retailers in Westquay South reopened after the fire once a "return to units was agreed with the fire brigade", a spokesperson for the shopping centre said.
READ MORE: Westquay evacuated as firefighters rush to tackle restaurant blaze
Westquay's spokesperson continued: "A fire alarm was activated in Red Dog Saloon Restaurant at Westquay last night and a localised evacuation took place.
Firefighters taped off the road at Harbour Parade Roundabout as a cordon was put in place. (Image: Graham Wiffen)
"Details on the Red Dog Saloon Restaurant reopening will be provided in due course. The safety and security of our guests and colleagues is always our top priority."
Firefighters used three hose jets to extinguish the fire in the kitchen area, and ventilation fans were deployed to clear smoke from the premises.
Crews returned to their stations following the stop message shortly after 9:00pm.
Hampshire fire issued a thank you message to all Westquay staff and members of the public for their response to the incident.
