Firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire that started in the kitchen of Mar Y Tierra restaurant in Hartford and caused smoke damage in adjacent storefronts Wednesday morning.
A pedestrian notified firefighters about the fire at 693 Park St. around 4:48 a.m.
The pedestrian had seen smoke and walked down to the fire department, which was just two buildings away, so crews were able to respond quickly.
“We had a pedestrian knock on the door and inform them that there was a fire. When they pulled out of the building they saw heavy smoke conditions,” explained Capt. Raul Ortiz of the Hartford Fire Department.
Ortiz said the fire started in the kitchen of Mar Y Tierra restaurant and the smoke spread to two other connected storefronts.
As of 5:20 a.m., crews reported the fire was under control.
The restaurant was empty at the time and no injuries were reported. The flames were contained to the Mar Y Tierra Kitchen, but two other stores sustained smoke damage.
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William Mercado, the son of the restaurant owner, said they were waiting for word from investigators on what caused the blaze. The restaurant has been open for about a year.
“Business just started moving up nice and smooth right now. ‘Til now. This is a little heartbreak right now,” Mercado said.
Fire officials are investigating the cause. Park Street was closed, but it has reopened.
