All five of Newtown’s fire companies were dispatched to a local restaurant last Friday night after a ventless gas fireplace malfunctioned, caused a fire, and filled the space with heavy smoke. Damage could have been much worse if firefighters had not located and doused the fire as quickly as they did.

Firefighters responded to Jewel of Himalaya, within Plaza South at 266 South Main Street, around 8:30 pm February 7 after several calls to dispatch reporting heavy smoke in the building and no clear view of a fire. As they were responding, firefighters were told the restaurant had a fireplace that was being used. At that time the call was changed to a possible chimney fire.

Firefighters were also told all patrons and employees were evacuating that part of the building, which is within Botsford Fire Rescue’s district.

Botsford Fire Rescue Second Assistant Chief Kyle Placko had command of the scene.

“Upon arrival smoke was showing out of the front doors of that section of the building,” he said.

Plaza South has four separate buildings on the 7½-acre property. Jewel of Himalaya occupies the easternmost storefront of the northernmost building within the plaza. The 16,625 square foot building was constructed in 2011. The restaurant's fireplace was on the eastern side of the building.

Through his investigation, Placko found a gas fireplace operating without a ventilation system.

“There was a red glowing from what would have been the chimney area,” he said.

Firefighters hit that area with a chemical extinguisher, he said, but that did not knock down the fire completely.

Meanwhile, the first ladder truck to arrive at the scene went to the eastern side of the building, providing access for firefighters to access the roof. Firefighters also went to the hydrant within the plaza to set up a water supply, Placko stated.

“They were unable to find a chimney on the roof — because, it turns out, there isn’t one for that fireplace — but they did find smoke coming out of the ventilation system for the kitchen,” the fire chief said. “They started pulling tops off that, expecting to find fire there.”

The smoke was the result of kitchen leaving the vents on when they evacuated the building, it was learned.

“That was sucking smoke out of the restaurant,” Placko said.

Inside the restaurant, firefighters “noticed the wall was moving” above the fireplace, Placko said. The first responders were quick to remove artwork from the wall, and items from the fireplace mantel.

“Those were all secured before we took the wall down, and found the fire,” he said. Once located, the fire was doused with two water cans, he added. The fire was discovered within 10 minutes of the initial dispatch. It was fully knocked down in less than 40 minutes.

All combustibles were removed from the building; noncombustible items were left inside, he said.

While every company was initially dispatched for the call, Dodgingtown and Hawleyville were returned early.

“Once I saw the initial picture of what was going on, they were returned and we had Botsford, Hook & Ladder and Sandy Hook respond to the scene,” Placko said. Approximately 30 firefighters were on scene, he said.

There were no injuries reported. Most patrons left after exiting the building.

“I didn’t see too many people waiting to go back inside,” Placko said. “There were probably eight employees though. Once we got the ventilation under control the kitchen staff went back inside and started cleaning the kitchen. Other employees started bussing the tables and floor.”

Water and fire damage was kept to a minimum, all to the immediate area of the firebox, he said.

After performing overhaul, first responders fully cleared from the scene at 9:23 pm.

Despite any smoke damage, the restaurant reopened Saturday, according to a post on its Facebook page. The former fireplace space has been boarded up, according to Placko, who has already returned to dine there.

“I went there last night,” he said Wednesday morning. “I’d heard they reopened and wanted to support them.”

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.