Hunan Lion closed indefinitely after early-morning kitchen fire

Bethany Bruner and Jim Weiker, Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·2 min read
Steven Chang and his father, Jason Chang, greeted customers at the family's restaurant, Hunan Lion, on Wednesday to tell them a fire will keep the restaurant closed for three to six months.
Steven Chang and his father, Jason Chang, greeted customers at the family's restaurant, Hunan Lion, on Wednesday to tell them a fire will keep the restaurant closed for three to six months.

Hunan Lion, a Northwest Side dining institution for more than 35 years, will be closed for several months to repair damage from a Wednesday morning fire.

The fire, which severely burned the kitchen, will require three to six months to remedy, said the owners.

"It couldn't have happened at a worse time, with the holidays coming up, our busiest season," said Steven Chang, who is preparing to take over the Bethel Road restaurant from his parents, Allyson and Jason Chang, who opened Hunan Lion in 1987.

The Changs said the fire started from a burner that had been accidentally left on under a stock pot overnight.

Columbus fire crews received a call shortly after 6 a.m. about the fire. Battalion Chief Jeff Geitter said the fire had spread into some duct work and exhaust pipes, which caused fire to come out of the roof.

Firefighters contained the blaze within about 45 minutes, Geitter said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No other buildings in the strip mall sustained damage, and there were no reports of injuries.

"We were so blessed, so lucky, that no one was hurt," said Allyson Chang.

Hunan Lion will be closed for several months to repair damage from a fire. It's the first time in the restaurant's 36 years that it has been forced to close.
Hunan Lion will be closed for several months to repair damage from a fire. It's the first time in the restaurant's 36 years that it has been forced to close.

On Wednesday afternoon, the kitchen remained scorched and wet from the efforts to douse the blaze. Steven Chang said all kitchen equipment and furnishings must be replaced. He estimated the cost at $300,0000.

The fire also damaged most of the restaurant's food, which had just been replenished from a Tuesday delivery. The owners distributed some frozen food to nearby restaurants, Allyson Chang said.

The family also relocated fish from the large tank that greeted visitors at the restaurant's entrance, which many customers had asked about.

Customers stopped by and sent condolences throughout the day to the family.

"There's been so much outpouring of customers to comfort us. It's very touching," said Jason Chang. "It's not about business anymore, it's about family. I will never take that for granted.''

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Hunan Lion closed indefinitely after early-morning kitchen fire