Fire crews worked early Friday morning on a fire at a well known Japanese restaurant in downtown North Bay.
Fire Chief Jason Whiteley says the original call came from the police as a burglar alarm at the Kabuki House, which originally opened in North Bay back in 1989.
"Fire crews encountered heavy fire and smoke on the first floor and basement forcing crews out of the house that were attempting an interior fire attack and search and rescue," said Whiteley.
"Tactics were changed and a second attempt for an interior attack and search was conducted but crews eventually were forced to fight the fire from the exterior as conditions inside rapidly changed and deteriorated."
The fire left no damage to any neighbouring buildings but the blaze completely destroyed the roof of the restaurant, leaving the building in icy ruin.
"The age of the building and that it was Balloon frame construction as well as the fire was very involved before notification allowed the fire to spread throughout the structure. Nobody was hurt during the fire, and no dollar loss is available at this time," he added.
See video by Jamie Smith here. Caution strong language.
Also this video here.
Fire crews are still on scene, and the fire prevention and life safety division is investigating.
No one was injured as the building was closed around 9:30 on Thursday night.
