Fire engines outside Karakter Restaurant on Saturday. Robert Luckock photo)
SIMPSON BAY--The bar at Karakter Restaurant on Simpson Bay Beach was destroyed by fire on Saturday afternoon at around 1:15pm, just days before the beach restaurant was due to reopen for the season.
Thanks to a very swift response from the Fire Brigade--two fire engines were dispatched from the airport to tackle the blaze from the runway side in addition to two engines on site--firefighters were able to contain the fire and stop it spreading to the rest of the restaurant. The kitchen was untouched. The fire was completely extinguished at 3:00pm
Firemen working at the entrance to Karakter (Robert Luckock photo)
The owners on site indicated the entire bar with wooden roof was completely destroyed, as well as cushions and other materials. Billowing black smoke drifted across to the runway, briefly threatening airport operations. The bar and restaurant had been completely shut down for the off season closure with gas and electrical connections disconnected, adding to the mystery of how a fire could have started.
A fireman hoses down a section at the back of the bar at Karakter Restaurant (Robert Luckock photo)
An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way. The entire restaurant was cordoned off by detectives and forensic technicians.
