Restaurant owner recovers in hospital after catching on fire during lunchtime prep

The owner of a popular Greek restaurant in north-east Adelaide is recovering in hospital after he caught on fire during a lunch-time preparation gone wrong.

Thick plumes of black smoke were seen coming from Plato's Greek Chargrill in Walkerville minutes before it was meant to open today.

Steve Ploubidis, the owner and former high-profile head of the South Australian Jockey Club, staggered out of the restaurant with burns.

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He had been cooking when the fire broke out.

"We came out and we saw the owner's actually on fire so he's walking out so we quickly went back and got all the water bottles to pour on him," witness Mahdi told 9News.

As the fire spread, the ceiling collapsed and people jumped in with fire extinguishers.

"Once the roof kind of collapsed, a whole heap of black smoke came out as well," Mahdi said.

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Dozens of firefighters arrived at the scene about 11.20am while paramedics tended to Ploubidis for burns to his head, arms and body.

He was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for further treatment.

"I know the shop meant a lot to him and I think that's why he kept trying to put the fire out himself," Mahdi said.

No other injuries were reported.

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The fire was contained to the restaurant, but not before several neighbouring businesses suffered smoke and water damage.

About 40 minutes later, the fire was extinguished.

The restaurant has suffered about $500,000 worth of structural damage, according to the Metropolitan Fire Service.

Fire investigators are on the scene to determine the cause of the blaze.