Kitchener restaurant owners want to thank Good Samaritan who reported fire

The owners of a Kitchener restaurant are breathing a sigh of relief after a fire caused minimal damage, and police quickly made an arrest.

“It could have been so much worse,” said Hima Patel, who operates The Biryani Barrel alongside her husband Samrat.

The couple were called early Sunday morning about a fire at their King Street East restaurant.

“My husband came rushing to me in a panic saying our patio was on fire,” explained Hima while on The Mike Farwell Show on Friday.

Hima said they later learned a man tried to break into their restaurant, and when he failed, he set a planter out front on fire.

“So thankfully before it turned into a nightmare, a bystander noticed and called it in right away. Police and firefighters came quickly and because of that, the damage was minimal.”

Hima said the fire was contained to a small part of their patio and the restaurant is open, and the community has been very supportive of their family-run business.

“Me and my husband always try to look on the brighter side. With so much passion, time, energy and investment — a small fire won’t break us, the show must go on.”

Hima and Samrat also want to speak to the Good Samaritan who reported the fire.

“If you’re listening, please reach out to us. We would love to thank you in person.”

Waterloo regional police say there were no injuries stemming from the fire. A 39-year-old Kitchener man has been charged with three counts of arson and one count of possession of incendiary material.