photo by Bruce-Michael Gelbert
Top of the Bay after the fire
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Fire broke out in the Top of the Bay kitchen, at Cherry Grove harbor, between 6:30 and 6:45 a.m. on August 15, according to restaurant co-owner Ron King, who discovered the fire. Grove firefighters soon arrived on the scene and, pushing the kitchen air conditioner in and running the hose through the window, put out the fire in a short time, according to Michael Romanelli of the Grove Fire Police. No one was injured and the cause of the fire was not yet determined.
Electrical power was shut off in the building, but restored later that morning to the Dune Point hotel and Dock Manager's offices, below the Top of the Bay dining room, which was not damaged. At 11 a.m., the restaurant and Goody's, the general store downstairs, which experienced water damage, remained without electricity. At that time, Top of the Bay owners King, Brian Shurin, and Michael Turner were discussing plans, concerning the restaurant, for the remainder of the season.