It was about 9:30 on Sunday and the night was winding down at Mecca...about four tables finishing up their dinners and a couple Sunday regular late nighters in for their nightcap drinks...when I noticed a foggy haze start to develop in the restaurant...it was like the fog was rolling in except it was coming from the kitchen...so I walk over to see what the deal is and notice everyone is looking at our brick wood oven over flowing with smoke...nothing to unordinary...the smoke should subside as the wood burns down a bit...but then it didn't and suddenly the safety sprinklers in the kitchen activate and the kitchen staff evacuate the kitchen...in case you've never been to Mecca we have an open kitchen visible from the dinning room...where we could see the fryer react to the sprinkler watter and watch the hot oil begin to boil over onto the floor...at that point we new this was not good...
The cooks went back to grab their knives and I went back to the bar to make sure my guys were ok...hoping the wood fire would burn down and the smoke would subside...but the smoke quickly thickened and it was apparent it was time to leave....so Ginny, our new A.GM began to go around to the tables and ask that we all exit politely...and I look up and see flames coming out of a vent above a table and look over at a bunch of drunks sitting at their table arguing with Ginny as she is politely trying to get them to leave...finally we all exit and before I'm out the door, last as usual, the fire department is already there hoses in hand...
Everyone was fine and the fire itself was not major at all...but the water damage was extensive to the carpets and upholstery...so Mecca is taking this opportunity to use the insurance money and remodel a little...so they will be closed for a month or so they say...as for my job and everyone else...we are getting paid our average hourly wage while they are closed...which for me and the rest of the FOH staff covers our cable bills...hopefully they will give us something extra to stay with the company...I am taking this opportunity to find another job and make some extra cash 'till Mecca reopens...
So for now I have some free time...lets see what I do with it...
Ciao...
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