Blaze destroys popular Indian restaurant (From Harrow Times)

Blaze destroys Sri Rathiga, Station Road

9:43pm Saturday 28th July 2012 in News By Anna Slater

A well-loved Indian restaurant was damaged by a blaze earlier this evening.

The flames broke out in the kitchen of popular spot Sri Rathiga, in Station Road, Harrow, just before 5.30pm.

The manager of the eatery, who asked not to be named, was in the restaurant with two other staff members at the time when the inferno erupted.

He said: “I turned round and saw smoke and flames. I tried to contain them but they were just so big. They didn’t stop.

“I wasn’t scared. I turned the gas off in quick thinking, and when I saw it was very smoky I knew we had to evacuated.”

Thirty percent of the kitchen was wrecked, and the seating area and the front structure of the shop also suffered smoke damage.

Nikhin Nagar was at work at Diya Food and Wine, next door to the restaurant, when he saw a thick cloud of smoke fil the street.

“I saw three people run out in a panic, it was quite scary. I went to see what was going on and was really shocked to see all that smoke.

“It’s scary that something like this can happen on your doorstep. I am very glad that more damage was not done, it could have been a lot worse.”

Rachel Dashwood, who lives near Wealdstone, was “horrified” after seeing the fire destroy one of her favourite restaurants.

Speaking from the scene of the aftermath, the 24-year-old performer said: “It’s a shame, it’s such a popular spot and I often go here with my family and friends because it is really cheap and great food.

“The scene looked crazy tonight, the fire and smoke just totally destroyed the front of the shop.”

The fire was contained by 8pm and the cause is under investigation.