![CFA Investigators Commander Darren Scott and Commander Tony Miles at the fire scene in Desi Swag in Ararat. Picture by Sheryl Lowe CFA Investigators Commander Darren Scott and Commander Tony Miles at the fire scene in Desi Swag in Ararat. Picture by Sheryl Lowe](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/189654477/3ddef649-fb45-4699-a784-b9dd8ef520c2.jpg/r340_0_3413_2088_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Ararat CFA was called to a fire on Barkly Street on Wednesday at 9.40pm.
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The fire is believed to have started in the cool room of the Indian Restaurant Desi Swag.
When they arrived, they said they discovered a small fire in the cool room of the restaurant, which they were able to extinguish with minimal damage to the premises.
CFA Investigators Commanders Tony Miles, Darren Scott, and Ian Nash visited the restaurant Thursday morning to investigate and report on the fire.
"We are here to investigate and file a report and will speak to the occupier this morning," CFA Commander Tony Miles said.
![Restaurant Manager Shakel Ashem spoke with CFDA investigator, Commander Tony Miles. Picture by Sheryl Lowe Restaurant Manager Shakel Ashem spoke with CFDA investigator, Commander Tony Miles. Picture by Sheryl Lowe](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/189654477/5108df0d-87fc-4336-a73f-db46c06b0173.jpg/r0_0_4032_2267_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"The damage was minimal, and the fire was contained to one building," Commander Darren Scott said.
Restaurant Manager Occupier Shakel Ashem spoke with investigators and representatives from the Ararat Council Thursday morning.
Melbourne General Practitioner Dr Shehbaz has owned the building since October 2022. On Friday, July 21, he said, "I believe the fire started in the cool room. I understand an electrical fault caused the fire."
"There is no interruption to the restaurant's operation because the fire didn't start or spread to the kitchen. There was no damage caused to the cooking area; the restaurant will be open as usual," he said.
Dr Shehbaz said representatives from the Ararat Council visited the site Thursday to file a report.