A fire forced a restaurant to close early yesterday (Sept. 7).
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) Asst. Chief Keith Stewart tells V.I.A. that a fire was intentionally set at the back of 958 Main St, home to Michelin Guide-recommended Pan-Asian restaurant Torafuku.
The restaurant opened its Main Street location in 2015 and has become one of the city's most successful food truck to brick-and-mortar transitions, morphing from Le Tigre food truck to a modern sit-down spot.
The flames, which were set at 4 p.m., went up the wall and caused some damage to the building, but didn't make it inside the restaurant. "All the occupants were safe and everyone got out," Stewart says.
Torafuku shared in an Instagram story that the restaurant was closed for the remainder of the evening.
"Damage is bad," says restaurant owner Steve Kuan. "Water is everywhere."
Torafuku was due to celebrate their eight year anniversary next week with a special menu but Kuan anticipates that, due to the damage from the fire, the restaurant will be closed for at least two weeks or several months.
In a video posted on Instagram Saturday (Sept. 9) morning, Torafuku confirms that they will be closed until further notice, postponing their eight year anniversary until they reopen.
"Thank you for all the kind messages," the post reads. "Keeping our fingers crossed we can resume in a few weeks."
VFRS says that the fire is currently under investigation.
