A fire broke out at the Grand Luxe Cafe at Roosevelt Field Mall on Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of five staff members who were preparing to serve lunchtime customers, authorities said.
Nassau Fire Chief Michael F. Uttaro said the fire started on a stove in the kitchen and spread to the ducted ventilation system.
Uttaro said all employees were able to evacuate safely.
One employee was treated for minor injuries, but no customers were inside the store, authorities said.
Uttaro said the building stands alone on Roosevelt Field and there was no need to evacuate the mall.
“The fire grew and spread to the roof,” Westbury Fire Chief LaShawn Carr said. “It was a very challenging situation. The fire was in the duct system and it was very difficult to get to. This is a two-story building so it was very difficult to put out.”
Uttaro said crews from Nassau Fire Department 6 responded to the automatic alarm at 8:47 a.m. One firefighter suffered minor injuries, and other fire departments were called in to help.
“The fire spread within the ducts, necessitating extensive repairs. [operation] “Fire fighting is the first step in fighting a fire. …
Carr said the fire did not spread to any other buildings.
Located next to AMC Roosevelt Field 8 and the mall's parking garage, Grand Luxe Cafe is owned and operated by The Cheesecake Factory, a chain with locations in Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston and Paramus, New Jersey. The menu includes a wide variety of appetizers, pastas, pizzas, burgers and dishes such as tenderloin steak tacos and Cajun shrimp. A selection of steak and seafood dinners are also available.
A company spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for more information about the damage to the restaurants or when they might reopen.
Check back with us for updates on this developing story.
