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Girard Fire Department seeks to close restaurant over purported fire-code violations
By Ed Runyan
WARREN
Girard officials filed a complaint Monday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court against the owners of Girard Wok restaurant, 44 W. Liberty St., seeking to shut down the restaurant until it corrects purported fire-code violations.
The lawsuit names as defendants the owners of the restaurant, Sue Zhang and Xin X. Zheng, and the Girard company D&G Properties of 52 W. Liberty St. The lawsuit says D&G Properties owns the property where the restaurant is located. The 52 W. Liberty St. address is that of Girard Hardware.
When reached by phone Monday, Zhang said she would have her son call back, but no call was received.
D&G Properties consists of Daniel Camuso and George Thomas, according to the lawsuit. They could not be reached to comment.
The suit says Steven Drake, a Girard firefighter and certified fire-safety inspector, inspected the restaurant Sept. 22 and wrote a report listing fire-code violations relating to grease accumulation in the ductwork and hood fans at the restaurant and failure to keep inspection, maintenance and testing records for the fire-protection system, the lawsuit said.
The business was given 30 days to correct the six purported violations but has not complied, the suit said.
The defendants were advised that they could appeal the violations, but they did not request an appeal hearing, the suit said.
The fire department cited the business Oct. 25 after a second inspection. The suit notes that Ohio law and Girard ordinances call for civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, plus interest, for violations of the fire code starting Nov. 26.
The suit seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctions that would close the restaurant until the issues are corrected.
The Oct. 23 inspection report says the business needs to have the hood components and surrounding areas professional cleaned by a certified fire-protection contractor; provide three years of professional hood-cleaning records; update the hood system; install a system that will automatically shut down the fuel and/or electrical supply to the cooking equipment; install the correct light bulbs and backup battery in the exit sign with emergency lighting over the main entrance door; and have the ductwork professionally cleaned.
Atty. Brian C. Kren, Girard law director, filed the action on behalf of city, Fire Chief Kenneth Bornemiss and Drake.