A potentially catastrophic occurrence was avoided last evening when a fire which ignited at the popular Pepper’s Brazilian Restaurant was quickly extinguished before any major damage was done.

At approximately 8 pm yesterday neighbouring residents became alarmed when they saw flames coming from the chimney of the Regent Street establishment and called the fire service. Stabroek News understands, however, that the flames were quickly put out by staffers of the restaurant.

A member of staff at the establishment said that the oven was in use when the chimney connected to the oven caught afire.

He said he believed that accumulated fat in the chimney may have caused the blaze.

When members of the Guyana Fire Service arrived the fire already appeared to be under control.

However, when the fireman checked the chimney they saw evidence of burning and made efforts to completely extinguish the fire.