A hot wok and an oily cloth caused a two-alarm fire at the Ednaray Pagoda Restaurant on Feb. 10, causing approximately $75,000 worth of damages, primarily to the kitchen. The dining room and foyer suffered minimal smoke damage.
Around 10:30 a.m., three employees were doing prep work at the restaurant when a cloth set near a wok ignited. One of the employees flung the cloth away from the wok, which caused the flames to spread quickly to other areas of the kitchen.
According to Central Fire District chief fire investigator Bill Hardwicke, the CFD responded within minutes, sending five fire engines, a hazardous-materials vehicle and various other vehicles. Hardwicke said firefighters had the blaze under control within 15 minutes. They stayed two to three hours longer to make sure there were no hidden fires or smoldering structures left anywhere in the restaurant.
According to Ednaray manager Bob Lee, son of the owners, the restaurant will be closed for at least two months.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, February 21, 1996.
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