The owner of north-east eatery, Dyce Tandoori, has vowed to repair and reopen his premises within a month after fire ripped through the property and caused significant damage.
The blaze began around 4.45am yesterday at the Stoneywood Road restaurant and was caused by a fryer in the kitchen being left on overnight.
Four fire appliances were sent to the scene and 19 firefighters tackled the blaze with Stoneywood Road being shut for over an hour.
The fire caused major damage to the restaurant’s kitchen, storeroom and a part of the roof.
However, the owner, who did not wish to be named, is optimistic the damage can be fixed in a matter of weeks.
He said: “I’m confident we will reopen because I am a fighter, we will fight back and we will be back in the future.
“I think, in less than a month, everything will be fixed again. We will work hard to do that.
“I have no idea how much money this has cost the business, but the sooner we open again, the better.”
The owner also confirmed the incident will not affect his staff and all eight of his employees will keep their jobs.
When the fire broke out, it was discovered by Abu Zayfar, a waiter at the restaurant, who lives in the flat above the tandoori with four others.
He said: “I heard the fire alarm, came downstairs, opened the door, and saw the kitchen was full of smoke.
“I couldn’t even get inside the kitchen and then I phoned the fire brigade.”
Mr Zayfar alerted the four other men in the property. They were unable to escape through the back door and had to climb through a window to get the safety.
He added: “The main thing was saving lives because you can fix structural damage, but you can’t bring people back.”
The owner of the tandoori confirmed the flat was not damaged, so the residents will be able to stay at the premises.
He was also relieved everyone emerged unscathed from the disturbing incident.
He said: “I am very thankful nobody was injured and that everyone who lives upstairs is safe.
“My thanks go out to the fire brigade because, without their work, it wouldn’t have been possible to save my building and the people upstairs.”
