“The grease accumulation underneath the hood caused that to spread into the duct work for the exhaust system ... and into the structure,” he said. Damages were estimated at $25,000 to $30,000, Wehmeyer said.
Dispatchers said sprinklers above the oven helped douse some of the flames but they weren’t brought fully under control until 5 p.m. by Deerfield Twp. crews.
Adjacent eateries Five Guys Burgers & Fries and Chipotle Mexican Grill, were also evacuated before crews arrived, Wehmeyer said.
No one was injured as a result of the blaze, which was visible on the restaurant’s rooftop.
Fire crews turned off electricity to all three businesses for two hours as a safety measure while they conducted a search of the premises.
“China City will be out for a while,” he said. “The hood exhaust system was totally destroyed.”
Gas service was not restored to Chipotle and Five Guys until 8 p.m., Wehmeyer said.
Mutual aid was provided from Hamilton Twp., Mason, Montgomery, Loveland-Symmes, Sharonville, Sycamore, Union Twp.-South Lebanon and West Chester Twp. fire departments.
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