By Daily Press staff
A fire burned a hole through the ceiling of Ninjin Restaurant more than a week ago, causing businesses within the same commercial property to close temporarily.
The Santa Monica fire and police departments responded to an emergency call at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at 607 Colorado Ave. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Tenants occupying the same building were unable to conduct business through the weekend, said Ray Carriere, owner of the property. He said Ninjin will likely not re-open for months. The Novo Salon, east of Ninjin restaurant, re-opens today.
Gladys Jenkins, who has been a hair stylist at Novo for 12 years, said she notified authorities of the fire after she was driving down Colorado Avenue on her way to work.
“I thought I saw smoke billowing, and I went around back, where my client was waiting,” Jenkins said. “I thought I could smell something, like food cooking. I called 911.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 8, 2005. Read the original PDF.