Family-run Sydney restaurant damaged by flames

A Sydney restaurant has been badly damaged after a fire broke out early this morning.

Fire crews were called to Mike’s Grill and Bar on the Princes Highway at Sylvania in Sydney’s south just after 5am, after witnesses reported smoke coming from the premises.

Six fire trucks attended the scene, with firefighters using ladders to control the blaze from above as flames poured from the roof.

The restaurant’s devastated owner of four years could only watch on helplessly. His wife is due to give birth to their baby girl in two weeks.

“The place is severely damaged, and I don’t think it will be recovered,” Inspector Kevin Baxter from NSW Fire and Rescue said.

“We managed to contain the fire to the building of origin however it took an hour and a half because the power was difficult to isolate.”

Lanes on the Princes Highway were partially closed, however all lanes reopened before 1pm.

No one was inside at the time.

The exact cause of the blaze is under investigation, however it is believed it started in the kitchen.