Popular Bellevue eatery closed after kitchen fire

BELLEVUE – A popular local eatery in Bellevue will be closed for several weeks after a fire broke out in its kitchen overnight.

Just after 1:30 a.m. Thursday, a janitor noticed smoke coming from the roof of Lil’ Jons in the 3000 block of 148th Ave. SE. When fire fighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof.

It took fire crews about 30 minutes to extinguish a fire. They were able to contain the fire to the kitchen, but the restaurant did sustain about $475,000 in damage from the fire, smoke and water, officials said.

There was no one in the building at the time and no injuries were reported.

Fire investigators are on scene but haven’t determined the cause of the fire yet.

Lil’ Jon’s has been in that location for many years and is a popular place for locals to grab breakfast. There is no estimate of when they can re-open.