We bought a pair of used fryers from a used restaurant supply place on Ossington when we opened. One of the fryers never worked right and after much pestering the vendor finally agreed to replace the fryer. Today at 10 am a fellow shows up with the new (used) fryer. He turns off the gas, disconnects the fryer and POOF! At some point some gas was ignited and a small fireball appeared in my kitchen. Unfortunately, the technician was burned. In the confusion he grabbed for the extinguisher and sprayed it despite the fact that there was no fire. Then he fled.
However, the ball-o-flame did set off the gas alarm which brought the firefighters from across the street. The fire guys called the police, EMS, Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Labour. Oh and TSSA too. Everyone wanted to know if the technician was okay. We called the fryer vendor who hired the guy. He came to the deli and told the police that he was the technician who installed the fryer despite the fact that he was not. The police arrested him for obstruction.
Seeing your kitchen equipment guy being cuffed in your dining room and led away by the police is an experience I never imagined I’d have and I’m not grateful for it.
As I mentioned the fire guys called the Health Department. Inspector looks around and says that because the fire extinguisher was used we couldn’t reopen until we clean up the powder and that means a total kitchen clean down. But hey, its been a few months since our last inspection so how’s about we do one right now, he asks? Sure, I say, let’s inspect. Meanwhile, the Enbridge guys show up and put tags on my gas equipment so I have to call a very expensive installer who luckily does make it out same day.
Then we all do full interviews with TSSA and the Ministry of Labour and wait for the trades people to show up. All the while I’m trying to keep my staff, customers and suppliers informed. We can’t re-open until we get the health inspector back tomorrow morning. I’m confident that will happen even though its out of my control.
It could have been worse. We lost a day and labour cost took a hit. I really feel for the fryer technician and for the equipment dealer too although, as mentioned, it could have been worse.
Bottom Line: if the Inspector comes back first thing tomorrow, we’ll be fine.
