FOUR people were transported to hospital with minor injuries yesterday after a fire broke out at a Keppel Street business, shutting down one of the busiest sections of the city’s central business district.
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Emergency services were alerted to a fire at Golden Paradise Restaurant about 11am.
It was the start of a busy day for Bathurst's emergency services, which also had to attend a major gas leak at the intersection of George and Lambert Streets.
Inspector Brett Jackson from Fire and Rescue NSW said it took about half an hour for three crews, two from Bathurst and one from Kelso, to put out the fire at the restaurant, during which time the road was closed between Bentinck and Seymour Streets.
"The police assisted us by blocking off the street, which allowed us to carry out our job safely," Inspector Jackson said.
He confirmed four people were taken to hospital following the fire, but were not seriously injured.
"The Ambos transported three people to hospital for observation and one other person who had minor burns on their hands," he said.
"The fire was in the kitchen of the restaurant on Keppel Street and started when oil splattered and caused a fire.”
As a result, the kitchen sustained serious damage from the smoke and flames, as well as further water damage from the crews' efforts to extinguish the blaze.
However, the damage bill could have been much worse if the fire stations were not as quick to respond.
"The crews were able to save the building next door and the residence above by containing the fire to the kitchen," Inspector Jackson said.
This is the second cooking fire in three days in Bathurst, with the first occurring just 50 metres away from Golden Paradise Restaurant.
Inspector Jackson issued a warning to business owners and residents about the dangers of leaving food unattended in the kitchen, saying they needed to be more vigilant when cooking.
He encouraged people to remember the motto "Keep looking while cooking."
"People take their minds off the food and that's when accidents happen," he said.
