Blaze Takes Out China King Restaurant

406 E 5th Street
Clare, mi 48617

At 10:29 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, the Clare Fire Department responded to a report of a fire on the roof of the China King Restaurant at 406 E 5^th Street in the City of Clare. On arrival, fire was blowing out of the roof vent from the vent hood over the stove in the kitchen. The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen. Shan Chun Zhang, the owner of the restaurant, was in the restaurant with his brother Shan Gao Zhang at the time of the fire. There were no injuries and the building is a total loss. The building and business are insured. Fire Chief Chapman said the fire had taken over the area above the false ceiling and forced us out of the building.

“We encountered heavy smoke conditions with the cold temperatures [which] made this fire difficult to fight,” he said. “Also, the first fire hydrant we attempted to use was frozen. We were on scene for over three hours.”

The Clare Fire Department was assisted on scene by Surrey Township Fire Department, Harrison Community Fire Department, MMR Ambulance and the Clare Police Department.