Kitchen Fire Forces Evacuation Of Upscale Miami Beach Steakhouse

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Miami Beach patrons of upscale Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão had to be evacuated Monday night when a fire broke out in the restaurant kitchen. The restaurant remained closed Tuesday.

Jorge Linares of the Miami Beach Fire Department told Patch the fire broke out shortly before 8 p.m. The restaurant is located at 836 1st Street in South Beach.

"The hood system had some grease up in it," Linare said. "That's fuel, so it caught fire."

The hood was equipped with a chemical extinguishing system that discharged during the blaze.

"It went off, but it didn't completely take care of the fire," Linares said. "We had to get up on the roof and pour some water down the exhaust hood with some foam."

He said workers spent Tuesday getting the restaurant ready to reopen.

The Fogo de Chão website said the restaurant was closed Tuesday "due to maintenance" and encouraged patrons to check back for updated information.

The restaurant has specialized in "fire-roasting high-quality meats since 1979 utilizing the centuries-old southern Brazilian cooking technique of churrasco," according to the restaurant website.