The embers have gone cold at Lotus Flame in Morris Park for the foreseeable future after an early morning fire caused major damage to the eatery.
On Friday, January 6, the fire severely damaged the apartments above the popular Indian restaurant at 866 Morris Park Avenue and left the fate of the restaurant in limbo as the FDNY investigation into the blaze continued.
The first FDNY unit arrived at the fire four minutes after it was called into 911 just after 2 a.m.
It started in the basement, according to the FDNY, and then spread to the second and third floors, as well as the roof.
The fire quickly escalated to a third alarm, bringing 33 units and 140 firefighters to the scene.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control at 4:18 a.m.
Two residents and four firefighters suffered minor injuries, according to the FDNY Office of Public Information.
A family living on one of the upper levels was displaced by the fire, but family members did not require aid with relocation to another temporary residence, according to Red Cross of Greater New York spokesman Michael de Vulpillieres.
Lotus Flame co-owner Savitri McCrea said on Monday that the restaurant was closed indefinitely.
She said she did not know the cause of the blaze, but said FDNY officials were investigating a possible electrical cause.
The restaurant had been open for two years and two months, and had earned raves from customers and the press for its Indo-Caribbean and Chinese offerings.
McCrea said she did not know when or if the eatery would reopen, and whether it would reopen at the same location.
“I cannot say at this point,” she said.
