A fire on Monday ravaged Bazaar Sonoma, a popular Chinese eatery renowned for its Sichuan-inspired dishes, in Forestville on Front Street. According to The Press Democrat, the restaurant, also known as BaSo, had celebrated critical acclaim in recent reviews and was approaching its first anniversary. The blaze, which began around 5:45 AM, elicited responses from multiple fire departments, where the Sonoma County Fire District Captain Keith Muelheim confirmed the eviction of tenants from three apartments above the establishment. Despite the tenants' safe escape, the restaurant suffered extensive damage, including charred walls and a once-vibrant mural now merely a reminder of what was once there.
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the co-owner Sean Quan recalled his disbelief and the vivid smell of melted plastic and wood that will linger in his memory. Ironically, diligent safety practices at BaSo, such as turning off gas lines and appliances, seemed to have prevented a worse disaster, according to Quan. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Quan noted that it appeared to have originated outside of the kitchen area.
In a show of the close-knit community spirit, the local Graton Fire Department, among other firefighting units, swiftly responded to Bazaar Sonoma's crisis and an unrelated fire near Sebastopol, as detailed in a Facebook post by the Graton Fire Department. Despite the concurrent emergencies, coordinated efforts allowed for swift and effective management of both situations. The fire officials underscored relevant safety advice, emphasizing vigilance when using barbecues.
As the community processes the loss, Phan and Quan remain hopeful for Bazaar Sonoma's eventual resurgence. They view the tragedy akin to the season ending of a cherished series, hoping their "audience will be back and ready for season two," Phan said in her interview with The Press Democrat.
