Fire rips through strip mall
Gurverinder Dhaliwal had few words to describe the damage at his restaurant after a fire early Monday ignited in a northeast strip mall.
“It’s gone completely,” he said solemnly, as he watched firefighters douse hot spots at the commercial complex housing his restaurant, Mehak of India.
“It’s terrible. There are six or seven families who depend on this business.”
Now he and other business owners are left to wonder whether the blaze is connected to a commercial building fire that erupted a week ago just a few blocks away and also wrecked several businesses.
About 2:50 a.m., crews were called to the 5000 block of Castleridge Boulevard N.E. with reports of fire breaking out at a 11/2-storey multi-business complex.
“There was very, very heavy black smoke, so crews called a second alarm immediately,” said battalion chief Ernie Molineaux.
Crews had to peel back the metal-clad roof to get at the flames, most of which seemed to be contained within the attic, Molineaux said.
At least five businesses — Dhaliwal’s restaurant, another eatery, a jewelry store, a video store and a travel agency — were affected. Siding hung off the building and foam and debris littered the parking lot.
No one was injured in the blaze.
“One business owner showed up with chest pains and was taken to hospital, but it was not fire-related,” Molineaux said.
The man in his 60s was taken to hospital in stable condition, said EMS spokesman Adam Loria.
Mcknight Boulevard between 52nd and 47th streets N.E. was temporarily shut down in both directions because the smoke hanging in the area reduced visibility.
At one point, crews used an aerial ladder truck to get a closer at the roof.
The fire comes one week after another commercial building just blocks away went up in flames.
Crews were in the 5100 block of 47th Street N.E. on April 16 after a fire broke out at the commercial building just before 2 a.m. The blaze is considered suspicious.
The motive and origin of that fire remains under investigation.
At this time, there’s no indication that the two fires are connected, though investigators continue to probe a possible link, Molineaux said.
There’s also nothing to indicate this most recent fire is suspicious at this time, he added.
“We’ve got resources that are investigating these,” said police Chief Rick Hanson. “Any time there’s a fire that results in that amount of damage, let alone two, it’s obviously a concern.”
Molineaux said part of the building appears salvageable. But that news is little comfort to Dhaliwal, who is prepared to start over.
Kewal Krishan, who owns the building, is also anxiously waiting to hear the final verdict on what remains of the building.
“I can’t even think,” he said, surveying the damage from across the street. “This is very, very bad.”