Police: Restaurant Owner Attempts To Put Out Kitchen Fire Without Warning Customers, Employees

The fire took place around 6:50 p.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 29, in Westport at the Little Kitchen, at 423 Post Road East, said police.

When Westport firefighters responded to the fire after being waved down by a passing motorist that flames were coming from the roof of the restaurant, Westport Police said.

Responding fire units determined that there had been an active fire in the kitchen of the restaurant, which the owner, Qing Wan, 52, of Riverside, had apparently attempted to extinguish using buckets of water and a fire extinguisher, police said.

The fire caused the building to fill with heavy smoke. 

An investigation found that at no time was did Wan attempt to evacuate the restaurant of workers and customers, police said.

In addition, Wan did not use an installed fire suppression system, pull the fire alarm or call the fire department, putting all inside at risk, police said.

Reported to be among the patrons and workers inside the restaurant at the time of the fire was an infant child.

Wan was charged with reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a minor. 

He was released on a $2,500 bond and is set to appear in court on Thursday, Feb. 6.

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