Ybor sushi restaurant fire drips water into Improv

TAMPA -- An Ybor City sushi restaurant employee received first degree burns on his arms and face while cleaning behind a stove Thursday.

Salvador Diaz, 30, was working at Samuri Blue, 1600 E 8th Ave., when he accidentally broke a natural gas line supplying the stove by pulling the stove too far from the wall, causing a flash fire.

Tampa Fire Rescue responded to the fire alarm at 9:21 p.m. The sprinkler system was activated by the fire and continued to stream after firefighters arrived, pouring downstairs and causing damage to the Improv Comedy Theater.

Diaz was taken to Tampa General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Tampa Fire Capt. Bill Wade said. Damage from the fire was minimal, he said.

But water damage is expected to be several thousand dollars. No word on when either the restaurant or the Improv will reopen.

-- Rebecca Catalanello