Refrigerator fan cuts wire, smoke spurs brief closure

BENICIA, VALLEJO AND FAIRFIELD FIRE CREWS responded Monday to reports of smoke at The Chill, 362 First St., closing off the street
temporarily in their search for what turned out to be a small, already extinguished fire.
Angela Marchant photo

A refrigerator fan that cut a wire ignited a small, well-hidden fire at The Chill, the wine and beer bar at 362 First St., Dana Weeks, manager, said Monday afternoon, prompting the attention of three Solano County fire departments.

In the end, though, the fire went out by itself after fire crews failed to find it.

Benicia Fire Department received several calls from those reporting smoke from the building, Chief James Lydon said.

Firefighters searched throughout the building, and found the ceiling was warm. The department roped off First Street at D Street for about an hour during the search, and called Vallejo and Fairfield departments for assistance.

Lydon said at 1:57 p.m. his crews were still searching.

But they couldn’t find the fire, Weeks said as she prepared to open the bar later that afternoon.

Instead, an employee at Luxe Hair Design, 360 First St., insisted after fire crews left that she still smelled smoke and helped Weeks check the bar’s three refrigerators and their compressors.

Weeks said the two found where a refrigerator fan had cut a wire, causing an electrical fire. The fire had already gone out when it was discovered, she said.

She said she had to clean up the bar, including glass that was broken when firefighters entered the building.

“We’re going to need a new door,” she said. “But you’ve got to love this town. Everyone’s looking out for you.”

She told customers on the bar’s Facebook page that she had anticipated being ready for business at 5 p.m. Monday.

And by 4:30 p.m., she said, “We’re ready to go!”

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