Firefighters in Sechelt were called out at about 1:20 a.m. Wednesday to a minor kitchen fire at Pebbles Restaurant in the Driftwood Inn on Trail Avenue.
Fire Chief Trevor Pike said the building’s automatic alarm system was triggered and several guests at the hotel – alerted by the alarms – also called 911 after leaving their rooms. Others knocked on the doors of neighbouring rooms to warn the occupants.
Pike said the first firefighters were on the scene in minutes and had to force their way in because there was no night clerk on duty. At that point the fire had already been extinguished by the automated suppression system installed in the kitchen and had caused little damage.
In all, 26 firefighters and four trucks attended.
Pike told Coast Reporter that the fire started when a cutting board had been left on top of a piece of grilling equipment known as a “salamander” and, although the grill was off, heat venting from a gas pilot light eventually caused the cutting board to ignite.
Although the fire was minor, Pebbles Restaurant remains closed, and there’s no word yet on when it will be able to reopen.
Pike said the fire department is also working with Driftwood management to review safety procedures.
