Manhattan FD Responds to Hermosa Restaurant Fire

Firefighters from Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo battled flames at Union Cattle Company restaurant Saturday evening, after a fire broke out around 7 p.m. in the kitchen's vent system.

No one was injured in the fire, and its cause as well as any reports of damages have not yet been released. Officials suspect it was a grease fire and damage remained isolated to the kitchen area, said John Weber, Manhattan Beach fire department battalion chief. He added that it's "highly unlikely" the restaurant would open again for service this weekend.

The fire started in a kitchen hood system, where the employees tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher, according to Hermosa Beach police Officer Donovan Sellan. Meanwhile, a neighbor who saw and smelled smoke, called the fire department.

Sellan said that the neighbor's quick call helped prevent the fire from developing into something worse, and fire crews did their part "to make sure that all of it's out."

Union Cattle employees and nearby residents stood outside and watched as large clouds of smoke rose through a vent on the roof and filled the air above the Pier Avenue restaurant.

By the time crews arrived, the fire had traveled to the roof, Weber said.

"Units went to the roof, extinguished the fire on the roof, and then the fire started up again in the kitchen area and they extinguished that a second time," he said.

About 15 officials from each of the three beach cities worked together at the scene of the fire, Weber said. The three departments often assist with emergencies in each town as part of a mutual aid program in the South Bay.

In all, Manhattan Beach assisted with two fire engines and a rescue vehicle, and Redondo responded with a fire truck, said Weber.