A grease fire at a tableside cooking station interrupted service at KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in Rockville/North Bethesda, MD, on September 30, sending flames through exhaust ductwork to the shopping center’s second floor.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer’s updated account of the origin and cause places the fire in the first-floor dining area, at a tableside hot pot/grill. Grease ignited in the exhaust vent and ductwork. Damage was estimated at more than $500,000.
Fire spread through the exhaust system
Crews responded around 9 p.m. to 5550 Randolph Road, near Nebel Street, in Montrose Crossing. More than 75 firefighters responded, according to 7News reporting citing MCFRS.
Workers and customers evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported. Code enforcement and health inspectors also attended the scene.
Early reports described a kitchen fire. The later origin-and-cause update identifies the tableside exhaust system in the dining area, clarifying where the blaze began.
Tableside barbecue and hot pot service interrupted
The Rockville KPOT combines Korean barbecue cooked on tabletop grills with hot pot ingredients cooked in broth. Guests can choose either format or pay an additional charge for both.
Everyone at a table chooses the same format, with a two-hour dining limit. Choosing both lets diners alternate between grilling and cooking ingredients in their broth throughout the meal.
A reopening timetable has not been confirmed. Diners planning a visit to the Randolph Road restaurant should contact KPOT at 240-880-2155 to check its operating status.
