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An award
winning Indian restaurant in Glasgow recently burned to the ground
according to local media.
The
award-winning Cafe India in Glasgow was destroyed by a catastrophic
fire which closed off a section of the city centre. Strathclyde Fire
and Rescue received dozens of calls just after 3pm as a colossal
plume of black smoke rose from the restaurant on North Street, in the
Charing Cross district. Within a matter of minutes massive flames had
broken through the roof and were licking the outside of the
single-storey restaurant.
Seven
fire engines from stations all over Glasgow went to the scene, and
hundreds of Christmas shoppers gathered to watch the spectacle.
The
restaurant, which was scheduled to be demolished within weeks to make
way for new flats, was a favourite with many famous people, including
the late Donald Dewar, who always dined at table 20.
It was as
popular with celebrities such as Elton John, Michael Jackson and Sir
Sean Connery as it was with local people.
Firefighters
initially tried to tackle the blaze from inside, but were forced
back. As the building was engulfed by flames the ceiling fell in,
then large structural beams began collapsing. Five staff members were
in the building when the fire broke out, but the restaurant was
closed at the time so nobody was reported hurt. A chef claimed the
fire started in a vent above a coal-fired oven used to make naan bread.
The owner,
Abdul Sattar, said he "felt sick" when he received the call
telling him that his business was ablaze. Mr Sattar is a well-known
entrepreneur in Glasgow.
It was not
immediately clear what damage had been done to any neighbouring
properties. Even before the final flames were extinguished,
investigators from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Strathclyde Police
had launched an investigation into the cause.
Sanjay Majhu,
the curry entrepreneur behind Harlequin Leisure Group, Europe's
largest chain of Indian restaurants, was quick to offer to
accommodate any customers with a booking at Café India at one
of his many Glasgow-based restaurants.
Said Mr Majhu,
"The Café India fire is a real tragedy for its owner
Abdul Sattar and will undoubtedly throw many Christmas parties into
disarray. We'd like to play our part in helping any disappointed
customers by accommodating them at one of our many Glasgow
restaurants."
The offer
extends to the following Harlequin restaurants: Ashoka Ashton Lane;
Ashoka Bearsden; Ashoka Regent Brasserie; Ashoka at the Mill; Ashoka
Southside; Ashoka West End; Spice of Life; Kama Sutra, Mister Singh's
and Masala Jak's.
Disappointed
Café India customers can book a reservation at a Harlequin
restaurant on 0141 342 5200.
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