Overview
More than 40 firefighters have flocked to put out a fire at Surry Hills barbecue joint Porteno. Reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, the blaze started on the roof of the Cleveland Street restaurant.
Cleveland Street is shut down from Crown to Elizabeth Street, with the public warned to stay away from the area. For now, it appears the blaze has been contained.
Update, 9pm: The SMH is reporting that 21 staff were in the building at the time the fire broke out, and all evacuated it unharmed. Duty Commander for City of Sydney Kernin Lambert said that about 80% of the restaurant was saved, but the fire was in the kitchen and is believed to be related to the kitchen exhaust. "It's going to be out of service for a long time," he said.
You can show your and your stomach's ongoing support for Porteno at their Double Down Diner pop-up with Gelato Messina in Hyde Park.
Image: Rima Sabina Aouf.