Heating Unit Believed to Cause Fire at Luca Restaurant in Stony Brook: Fire Marshal

STONY BROOK, NY A devastating fire tore through Luca, a well-known restaurant in Stony Brook, late Tuesday night, leaving significant damage and forcing the popular dining spot to close indefinitely. Fire officials believe the cause of the blaze was a malfunctioning heating unit in the kitchen.

Fire Breaks Out at Luca Late at Night

The fire erupted at Luca, located on Main Street, just after 10:15 p.m., when employees were finishing closing duties for the night. According to staff, the first signs of trouble came when they noticed a burning smell followed by smoke seeping from the kitchen vents.

I was locking up the front door when I heard one of the cooks yell that something was wrong, said an employee who was one of the last people inside. Within minutes, we saw smoke coming from the back, and then the fire alarm went off.

Employees acted fast, ensuring that everyone evacuated safely before flames overtook the rear section of the building.

Firefighters Battle Heavy Smoke and Flames

Firefighters from Stony Brook, Setauket, Centereach, and other neighboring departments rushed to the scene after receiving multiple 911 calls. Upon arrival, first responders encountered heavy flames billowing from the back of the restaurant, quickly spreading through the ventilation system.

The fire had already gained significant momentum by the time we arrived, said a Fire Chief .Crews worked aggressively to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby businesses.

Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours, using multiple hose lines and ladder trucks to extinguish the flames. Thick smoke made visibility difficult, and crews had to force entry through the roof to ventilate the structure.

Heating Unit Suspected as the Cause

According to another Fire Marshal,  initial findings suggest that a faulty heating unit in the kitchen may have overheated or suffered an electrical failure, sparking the fire.

“It appears that the unit may have malfunctioned, leading to ignition in nearby combustible materials, the Fire Marshal explained. We are still conducting a full investigation, but at this time, we do not suspect foul play.

Restaurant Suffers Extensive Damage

Despite the firefighters best efforts, Luca suffered severe structural damage. The kitchen was completely destroyed, and the dining area sustained heavy smoke and water damage. The owners have announced that the restaurant will remain closed indefinitely while they assess the damage and begin recovery efforts.

We are absolutely devastated, said the the owner of the restaurant who has owned Luca for multiple years. This restaurant is our heart and soul, and seeing it like this is heartbreaking. But the most important thing is that no one was hurt. We will do whatever it takes to rebuild.

Community Rallies Around Luca

As news of the fire spread, customers and local residents took to social media to express their sadness and offer support. Many shared memories of special meals at Luca, with some even calling for fundraising efforts to help the restaurant recover.

Luca has been a part of this community for years, said a local long time resident and a longtime customer. It’s more than just a restaurant; it’s a gathering place. We will support them however we can.

A GoFundMe campaign has already been set up by a group of loyal customers to assist the owners and employees during the rebuilding process.

Officials Urge Heating System Inspections

In the wake of the fire, fire officials are urging local businesses and homeowners to schedule regular inspections of their heating equipment to prevent similar incidents.

Heating equipment fires can be devastating, but they are often preventable, said the Fire Marshal. We recommend annual maintenance checks and ensuring that units are in good working condition, especially during the winter months when they are used more frequently.

What’s Next for Luca?

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and it remains unclear how long it will take to rebuild. However, the owners of Luca remain hopeful that they will be able to restore the beloved restaurant and welcome customers back in the future.

For now, the Stony Brook community is standing by Luca and its staff, offering support in whatever ways they can.

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