PORT TOWNSEND — A downtown restaurant was evacuated for more than two hours Saturday night as East Jefferson Fire-Rescue investigated an electrical burning smell.
The call generated a huge roll-out of fire equipment and personnel, and a command center was established on Washington Street.
The smoke was coming from an electrical circuit-breaker inside Hanazono Asian Noodle restaurant at 225 Taylor St., agency officials said.
“There were no real fire,” said Bill Beezley, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman, on Sunday.
“It was just kind of an inconvenience.”
Restaurant staff detected a strong electrical burning smell and called 9-1-1.
East Jefferson Fire-Rescue personnel “also smelled it” when they arrived at 6:47 p.m., Beezley said.
“It was a matter of tracking it down,” he said.
Fire crews combed through several businesses that abut the restaurant around the historical Baker building — including Undertown and the Rose Theatre — before locating the slipped breaker in the rear of Hanazono Asian Noodle.
East Jefferson Fire-Rescue returned the restaurant to its tenant at about 9 p.m., Beezley said.
An electrical inspection was advised.
The agency had “quite a few units on scene,” prompting Beezley to issue a news release at 8:04 p.m. to allay fears.
A restaurant manager declined to be interviewed Sunday.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
