Nov. 9, 2015 By Christian Murray
A fire broke out inside a Queens Blvd restaurant Monday that had only just opened three days ago.
The fire took place inside the kitchen at Zio Luigi, an Italian restaurant located at 42-15 Queens Blvd, that had only opened on Saturday. There were no injuries, although the kitchen was badly damaged.
The fire was called in at about 7:00 pm and it took the FDNY about 30 minutes to put it out.
Luis Bermejo, the owner of the restaurant, said the wood behind the sheet metal in the kitchen caught fire as a result of the heat.
A disappointed Bermejo said that it took him much longer than expected to open the restaurant and it is likely to take a few weeks before he reopens.
“I spent six months on getting open and now this,” he said in a soft tone. “I have a family to take care of it.”
He said that he will be talking with his insurance company tomorrow.
Zio Luigi is Bermejo’s first restaurant. Prior to opening, he had worked at Italian restaurants in Manhattan for 14 years.
His restaurant focuses on offering fresh pastas and “new world Italian” cuisine.
The restaurant is located next door to PJ Horgan’s which had a kitchen fire in April and has since closed for good. PJ Horgan’s was located in a building owned by John Ciafone, who plans to develop it.
Bermejo has a different landlord and has a 15-year lease.
Bermejo said that just before the fire broke out a woman had just finished dinner. “She told me how much she liked it, especially the dessert. Then this happens.”
Luis Bermejo in kitchen
