KINGSTON, Jamaica — Scores of onlookers gathered in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew, on Wednesday as thick, black smoke could be seen coming from an opening in Little Hong Kong Restaurant’s roof.

The restaurant’s kitchen was on fire.

The blaze quickly made its way up the vent and to the opening atop the roof, announcing its presence about 3:00 pm.

A unit from the Half-Way-Tree Fire Station arrived on the scene and firefighters extinguished the blaze.

“The fire started in the kitchen and spread upward into the vent. There might be some water damage to the building,” a district officer from the Half-Way-Tree Fire Station informed OBSERVER ONLINE.

The chef, who was working in the kitchen at the time of the fire, escaped unhurt.

The fire did not damage Younis Investment, which is located above Little Hong Kong Restaurant , right by the vent.

Johnny Deng, owner of Little Hong Kong Restaurant got to the location after the fire.

“The fire lost control and the kitchen is damaged,” said Deng.

The police and fire department continue their investigations into the extent of the damage and the estimated loss.

Kesi Asher