Saved by the dog

Deepa Bharath

NEWPORT BEACH -- It was Jim Ulcickas’ lucky day.

The owner of Bluewater Grill said his Newport Beach restaurant would

have burned to the ground if not for Lucky the dog, who lives with a

family across the street from the eatery.

Lucky barked and alerted his owner early Wednesday morning when he saw

flames shooting from behind the restaurant. The owner called 911,

Ulcickas said.

“As a result the building had very minor damage,” he said. “We can

actually keep the restaurant open, thanks to Lucky.”

Firefighters arrived at the restaurant in the 600 block of Lido Park

Drive about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. As they were leaving the station, they

saw a large cloud of smoke partially lighted by flames, said Newport

Beach Fire Capt. John Blauer.

The fire seemed to originate in two trash bins behind the restaurant

that were engulfed in flames, he said. The fire also spread up the

outside wall of the restaurant onto the roof and into the attic, Blauer

said.

Firefighters, who cut a hole around an electrical outlet area on the

outside wall, found heavy smoke but no fire, he said.

They cut another hole near the peak of the roof, where they found fire

and extinguished it, Blauer said.

He said firefighters turned off power to the building for about an

hour and a half.

No estimates were available on the extent of the damage, but most of

it was confined to the outside wall, roof and attic, Blauer said. The

kitchen also suffered some smoke damage, he said.

About 19 firefighters from Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, and three

engines, two trucks, a paramedic and a battalion chief responded to the

fire.

Ulcickas said there has never been a fire in the seafood restaurant in

the six years he has owned it.

As for Lucky, Ulcickas said he will be rewarded for his valiant

effort.

“I usually recommend fish,” he said. “But I think I’m going to buy

Lucky a big, fat steak.”

* Deepa Bharath covers public safety and courts. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at o7 deepa.bharath@latimes.comf7 .