After nine long months, locals are more than ready for a beloved neighborhood staple to reopen its doors. First Wok Chinese Restaurant on 28th Street in Cascade has been feeding Grand Rapids for over 25 years, making its abrupt closure after a January fire a tough blow for regulars.
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What Caused the January Kitchen Fire
The fire at First Wok broke out in the middle of the lunch rush on January 9. According to Fox 17, an employee was prepping rice noodles for Mongolian beef when trapped water hit hot oil in a wok fryer. Flames spread to the hood system.
Thankfully, the automatic fire suppression kicked in and crews from Cascade, Ada, Caledonia, and the airport arrived within minutes. Everyone got out safely with zero injuries. While the physical fire stayed near the stove, heavy smoke filled the building, so the restaurant needed a massive cleanup and a full setup of custom kitchen gear before they could even think about cooking again.
👇BELOW: 25 PLACES AROUND GRAND RAPIDS THAT ARE GONE BUT WE STILL MISS👇…