SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A fire that started inside the kitchen of Rei Do Gado Brazilian Steakhouse Friday night led to the evacuation of two different buildings, displacing 50 people, according to a battalion chief with the San Diego Fire Department.
The San Diego Fire Department received a call of a commercial fire at 7:27 p.m. on 939 4th Avenue, at the four-story building where the Rei Do Gado Brazilian Steakhouse was located. The battalion chief said the three stories above the restaurant were used as residential spaces and Airbnbs where Comic-Con visitors were staying.
According to the battalion chief, the fire traveled up the four floors and into 919 4th Avenue, where a showing with 1,200 Comic-Con guests took place. Crews evacuated the guests, who have since returned to the building to continue their movie. No firefighters or civilians were hurt.
Officials also had to close Broadway between 4th and 6th Avenue to battle the blaze.
The large fire was extinguished in an hour, and it damaged the roof and the AC units. SDFD said the San Diego Sheriff's Department's Bomb Arson unit is on scene and investigating the fire. San Diego County Health was also notified. The Red Cross was also at the scene, helping 50 people who were displaced.
The battalion chief said a fire sprinkler inside the fourth floor of the 939 4th Avenue building went off, saying it was a "huge help" to the fire crews.
Units will be on scene overnight, providing overhaul, and for the next 90 minutes, they will check the structures for hotspots. The battalion chief also said Rei Do Gado Brazilian Steakhouse is out of service.
