Mark Simone is still putting the reality of things into perspective, but as the co-owner of Bijou Restaurant with his wife, Linda, he’s feeling the support of the community in the wake of the fire last week.
“It’s overwhelming, the amount of reach-out that Linda and I have been feeling in the wake of this,” Simone said. “There’s been so much support and we’re both so gratified to feel that right now.”
The fire alarm sounded at 12:45 a.m. Saturday and Stratford Fire Department was on scene within six minutes, according to SFD Fire Chief Neil Anderson.
“We had eight personnel on the initial response, and second and third alarms were called within 10 minutes of our arrival,” he said. “Those alarms requested more staff and resources. There were no reported injuries and the building was empty at the time, although the top two apartments are rented out.”
Anderson added that the kitchen is completely damaged and there is one area where the fire broke through the ceiling, resulting in what he called “concerning damage” to the above floor supports.
“Building and planning inspected the structure further (on Monday) and issued a ‘building unsafe order’ as part of their condition assessment,” he said. “The rest of the building, including the above floor apartments, received smoke damage and one area of the roof was cut into for fire extension checks.”
In total, 13 firefighters and four vehicles were on scene for about eight hours, including fire investigation time which continued into Saturday. Anderson said there has been no cost estimation for damages determined yet, and that the building owner’s insurance investigator was scheduled to be on scene either today or tomorrow.
Simone credited both fire and police departments for their thorough and helpful assistance, and even while he deals with the insurance company he said they’re already looking ahead to reopening the Bijou.
“Yes, the goal is to reopen the restaurant,” he said. “This is particularly devastating for our employees, and we’re thinking of some way we can help them and provide support. This is going to take time for us to process – as owners, we’re overwhelmed by the challenges, but we’re going to do what is necessary to resurrect the Bijou in 2025.”
Simone said he couldn’t put a figure on the damage estimates, saying the main floor took the brunt of the fire’s destruction. His focus is on looking ahead to what it will take to reopen, and to be grateful for the support they’re feeling right now.
“If I said we’ve had 1,000 texts or calls checking in on us and offering support, I think that would be light,” he said.
Mark and Linda Simone have owned and operated the Bijou since 2014.
