Fire rips through Westmount's Lavanderia and Park restaurants

A well-known Montreal chef is in shockafter two of his restaurants in Westmount went up in flames.

"We're trying to find out exactly what happened," celebrity chef Antonio ParktoldCBC.

The Montreal fire department says a four-storey commercial building on Victoria Avenue, near Sherbrooke Street, was heavily damaged after flames broke out early Sunday evening.

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That building houses two of Park's restaurants: Lavanderia and Park Restaurant.

Both were closed at the time, but a few staff members were working.They quickly called 911 when they noticed smoke and flames.

By the time firefighters arrived after 6 p.m., the flames had spread to the roof.

It took more than 100 firefighters to put out the flames. By 9 p.m., they were still on site, as smoke was still coming out of the cement building.

No one was injured.

"As long as my staff and myfamily are fine then that's what matters at the end of the day," saidPark.

Montreal firefighters say the flames broke out in the kitchen atLavanderia, but aren't sure what caused it.

Damage to the entire building are estimated to be at least $100,000.