“Eastsider Collage,” photos by Gregory Bojorquez
Vol. 36 No. 34
See page 8
January 23 , 2015
SERVING BIXBY KNOLLS, CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS, LOS CERRITOS, WRIGLEY AND THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
Your Weekly Community Newspaper
ree candidates vie for open Long Beach Council seat to represent diverse 4th District
Herlinda Chico
Cory Bilicko/Signal Tribune
A photo taken Monday, Jan. 19 shows a boarded-up window in the front of the Hof’s Hut located at 4251 Long Beach Blvd. after two fires broke out in the kitchen ventilation system the night before.
Bixby Knolls Hof ’s Hut ravaged by two fires Residents lament possible loss of ‘iconic restaurant’
Richard Lindemann
Cory Bilicko
Managing Editor
Sean Belk
Daryl Supernaw
Staff Writer
In Long Beach’s winner-takes-all special election scheduled for April 14, voters in the 4th Council District will choose one of three candidates to fill a one-year term left by former councilmember Patrick O’Donnell, who was elected to the State Assembly last year. The three candidates, who filed nomination papers by the City’s Jan. 16 deadline, are: Herlinda Chico, a public-affairs see 4TH DISTRICT page 9
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The fate of a longtime Bixby Knolls restaurant is still unknown after two fires broke out Sunday night in its kitchen ventilation system, leaving the eatery inoperable, at least for the time being. A decision may be weeks away as to what will happen with the Hof’s Hut restaurant that has been in business at 4251 Long Beach Blvd. since 1961, but crews this week have been working to assure the structure is safe for damage assessment, according to Brad Hofman, director of marketing for Hofman Hospitality Group, owners of Hof’s Hut. Hofman, who is the grandson of founder Harold Hofman and son of CEO Craig Hofman, was born the day the first Hof’s restaurant opened in 1951. “We are all devastated and sad that this restaurant is gone,” Brad Hofman said in an emailed response Wednesday to the Signal Tribune. “It was very important to us, and we know how important it was to the community. We appreciate the outpouring of support from so many people. Right now, our first priority is to take care of our
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January 23 through January 27, 2015
roof of the restaurant, according to the LBFD. The first units to arrive confirmed reports of fire and then “initiated an aggressive fire attack,” according to Fisk. “Shortly thereafter, a second-alarm assignment requested...additional manpower and resources to limit the spread of fire,” states a press release from LBFD. “Fire-suppression operations continued for approximately one hour. One firefighter was injured and transported to a local area hospital with minor injuries.” Long Beach fire investigators were requested to determine the cause and origin of the fire. Damage to the restaurant was extensive with noted structural compromise, according to the LBFD. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. One of the firefighters was treated for minor heat exhaustion and was released the same day, according to Robert Cheng, captain of the LBFD Arson Investgation Unit. Cheng said the firefighter, whose name is not being released, is back at work. “As for the investigation into the origin and cause, the incident is still under investigation, and the cause is ‘undetermined’ at
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employees, some of whom have worked at this location for 30 years or more.” Earlier this week, Hofman had issued a statement thanking employees for their “quick reaction” in ensuring guests were guided to safety, as well as showing appreciation to firefighters. “We are grateful to the first responders who contained the fire and send our best wishes to the injured firefighter,” he said. Hofman was unsure Wednesday about the restaurant’s future. “At this point, there is a crew working to make the building safe so that it can be assessed,” he said. “We won't know the next steps for several weeks at the earliest.” The first fire occurred shortly after 9pm Sunday, and there were patrons eating in the restaurant at that time, according to Brian Fisk, public information officer for the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD). All occupants were safely escorted outside by restaurant staff, and the initial fire was isolated to the kitchen ventilation system and areas of the structure in close proximity to the ventilation ducts, Fisk said. At 1:03am, a passerby called 911 and reported visible flames coming from the
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