Nanchang DIO Café Fire Starts in Kitchen Vent

Last Thursday afternoon, a smoky fire broke out in the kitchen of a DIO coffee shop in Nanchang, sending thick black smoke billowing from the building and alarming nearby residents. The incident, which occurred around 4 p.m., led to a rapid emergency response and a temporary evacuation of people in the area.

Seven fire engines were dispatched to the scene, and firefighters had the fire under control in about 30 minutes. The initial fire started in the kitchen’s exhaust duct, and a gas cylinder was safely removed from inside.

What Happened at the DIO Café in Nanchang?

At approximately 4:00 p.m. on the afternoon in question, a kitchen fire ignited inside the DIO coffee shop located at 58 Jinta West Street in Nanchang. The blaze originated in the kitchen’s exhaust duct, quickly filling the space with smoke. Although no open flames were visible by the time firefighters arrived, heavy smoke poured from the building, prompting immediate concern from bystanders.

Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke rising from the rear of the café, which was visible from nearby homes. Some residents, worried the fire might spread, chose to leave their houses as a precaution. Fire crews arrived promptly and found the building filled with smoke but no active flames.

How Did First Responders Handle the Fire?

According to Nanchang Fire Brigade’s Construction Road Squadron Commander Yu Zhi, the first priority upon arrival was to determine whether any people were trapped and if flammable materials—such as gas cylinders—were inside the kitchen. Firefighters quickly located and removed four large and several small gas cylinders from the kitchen area.

With the potential for explosion minimized, crews then tackled the fire itself. The main source was traced to the kitchen’s long exhaust duct. Due to its length, firefighters had to break the duct into sections to extinguish the flames effectively. The entire operation took roughly 30 minutes, with firefighters using water hoses and actively ventilating the space to clear the smoke.

The kitchen remained extremely hot and smoky even after the fire was out, preventing investigators from immediately determining the full extent of the damage or the exact cause.

What Was the Impact on the Café and Surrounding Area?

Although the fire caused no injuries, the café sustained visible interior damage. Windows on the first and second floors had been shattered—reportedly to help vent the dense smoke—and broken glass covered the sidewalk outside. Employees in DIO uniforms were seen sweeping up the glass but declined to comment on the specifics of the incident.

The inside of the kitchen was left in disarray, with water pooling on the floor, walls blackened by smoke, and a discarded dry powder fire extinguisher on the ground. Fire prevention officers were present, surveying the site for further clues. The temperature inside the kitchen remained too high for a detailed inspection even hours after the fire was extinguished.

Local residents described the scene as chaotic, with many gathering outside their homes or the café to watch the emergency response. One onlooker noted seeing smoke drifting downwind, while a nearby construction worker mentioned seeing staff flee the building before first responders arrived.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the fire start in the DIO café in Nanchang?

The fire originated in the kitchen’s exhaust duct at the DIO café located at 58 Jinta West Street. This duct ran a significant length, which complicated firefighting efforts as it needed to be sectioned and put out piece by piece.

Were there any injuries in the Nanchang café fire?

No injuries were reported. The fire occurred during a period of low customer traffic, and all staff and patrons were able to evacuate safely. Firefighters confirmed there were no people trapped inside when they arrived.

How did firefighters handle the gas cylinders in the kitchen?

Firefighters immediately located and removed four large and several small gas cylinders from the kitchen to prevent the risk of explosion. This was one of their first actions after assessing that no people were trapped inside.

What caused the heavy smoke during the Nanchang café fire?

The heavy smoke was primarily due to the fire in the exhaust duct, which produced thick black smoke despite there being no visible open flames by the time firefighters arrived. Crews had to ventilate the building by breaking windows to clear the smoke.

What was the extent of damage to the DIO café?

The café sustained interior damage including waterlogged floors, smoke-blackened walls, and shattered windows on the upper levels. The kitchen was left messy with debris, broken glass, and standing water, though a full assessment was delayed due to ongoing heat and smoke.