Newtown ‘institution’ to reopen after blaze

Happy Chef has vowed to reopen after a fire destroyed the popular Newtown restaurant on Saturday night.

Happy Chef Chinese restaurant was destroyed by fire on Saturday. Picture: Google.

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Happy Chef has vowed to reopen after a fire destroyed the popular Newtown restaurant on Saturday night.

One firefighter suffered a minor arm injury caused by falling debris and another experienced heat stress during the vicious blaze.

Both have since been released from hospital.

The fire started in the kitchen and is not been treated as suspicious.

A NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman said about 60 firefighters battled the fire which caused the roof to collapse at the back of the building as well as “extensive internal damage”.

“FRNSW firefighters were able to prevent the further spread of the fire and save the adjoining buildings, which sustained only minor damage,” he said.

“Investigations indicate it was an accidental fire in the kitchen that spread into the roof of the building.”

Customers and staff from the Chinese restaurant were evacuated as emergency services were called to the restaurant about 9.45pm.

Two firefighters were taken to hospital with minor injuries. Picture: Steve Tyson / TNV

King St was closed for several hours as investigators examined the charred remains of the building, which also caused the closure of adult store Max Black.

Social media was flooded with messages of support and calls for both Newtown “institutions” to reopen.

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On Facebook, the Happy Chef team posted they were “devastated” they would be forced to close “until further notice” and thanked police and firefighters for their hard work.

“We appreciate the kind messages and incredible support we have received today and over the last 30 years.”

While they were “too busy picking up the pieces”, they told the Courie r: “Happy Chef will certainly reopen but timing is a bit unclear at this stage”.