Hampstead car blaze drama – Bacchus Greek Taverna diners flee as minicab explodes

A POPULAR Hampstead restaurant has been closed for five days after a car dramatically burst into flames in front of shocked diners on Saturday evening.
Bacchus Greek Taverna in Heath Street suffered around £25,000 worth of damage when a Mercedes minicab exploded outside shortly before 7pm and set fire to the exterior.
Police believe the blaze was caused by an electrical fault in the car, which was carrying two passengers. No one was injured but around 60 diners were evacuated through a back door while fire crews tackled the flames. The minicab driver was interviewed by police but the incident is not being treated as suspicious.
Tula Kritharis, who has run Bacchus for 32 years, said she was forced to close the restaurant to repair the extensive damage – and has had to throw away £10,000 worth of stock.
The 63-year-old grandmother will re-open tonight (Thursday) following a major clean-up.
Ms Kritharis said: “I live above the restaurant and when I saw the building catch fire I thought, ‘that’s it, I’m going to lose my home as well,’ but the damage was mostly to the restaurant.
“We were full at the time but luckily most of the customers were regulars so they were very kind and understanding – some were saying ‘keep the food warm, we’ll be back.’”
Zoran Matic, who was at the nearby Pentameters Theatre, witnessed the scene.
He said: “It was very dramatic. The awning outside Sweaty Betty was alight and flames were shooting up the building. There was also heavy smoke coming from the car. Police were warning everyone to stand back as the petrol tank could set alight, then the car burst into flames again. It was like in the movies.”
JOSIE HINTON