IN BRIEF

-- Alex Coolman

NEWPORT BEACH -- A small grease fire broke out at Baja Sharkeez

restaurant early Sunday morning, but it was contained by a worker before

the Newport Beach Fire Department arrived at the scene.

“There was a worker who used a portable dry chemical extinguisher to

extinguish the flames,” said Fire Department spokesman Lt. John Blauer.

Fire engines arrived just before 9 a.m.

Interruption to business from the fire was minimal and there were no

injuries.

“All we had to do was stop cooking for half an hour,” said restaurant

manager Sergio Alonso.

Problems with the restaurant’s ventilation system appeared to be the

cause of the fire, Blauer said.

“It looked from our investigation like the hood system did not activate,”

Blauer said. “There was a buildup of smoke.”

Firefighters used truck ladders to climb onto the roof of the building,

where smoke was pouring out, but the blaze was less serious than it

initially appeared to be.

Blauer said Sharkeez owners estimated the fire caused $500 in damages.