Liquid sparks fire at plaza eatery

Patrons who munched on pizza for lunch at Troquet Restaurant in South

Coast Plaza on Tuesday may not have been aware that a small fire broke

out on the roof.

The fire was sparked by a buildup of creosote from a wood-burning

pizza oven and erupted in the chimney about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, said

Costa Mesa Fire Capt. Randy Hicks. The fire was quickly extinguished by

the plaza’s security and fire patrol, Hicks said.

When the Costa Mesa fire crew arrived, it sawed off the chimney pipe

and sprayed water through it to ensure the fire was doused and to remove

any lingering creosote.

None of the restaurant operations was disrupted during the fire, Hicks

said.