Roswell Restaurant Owners Grateful for Quick Fire Response

Bellini Osteria Toscana owners say about 70 people were inside when the fire started in the pizza oven's flue pipe.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The owners of Bellini Osteria Toscana, a family-owned Italian restaurant in Roswell, Georgia, say they are thankful for the quick response from local firefighters after a fire broke out in the restaurant's pizza oven flue pipe on Saturday evening. The fire started around 7 PM while about 70 customers were inside, and the manager quickly alerted staff to evacuate the building. Firefighters from Roswell, Milton, and Alpharetta arrived on the scene and were able to contain the flames, preventing further damage to the two-year-old establishment.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of fire safety protocols and the quick response of local emergency services in protecting businesses and patrons. Restaurants, especially those with open kitchens and high-heat equipment like pizza ovens, face heightened fire risks that require vigilance and preparedness.

The details

According to the owners, the fire started in the flue pipe, which is the ventilation system that removes smoke and gases from the pizza oven. A worker noticed the heavy smoke and alerted the manager, who then initiated the evacuation. The flames began shooting from the roof, but the firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it could spread further and cause more extensive damage to the restaurant.

  • The fire occurred around 7 PM on Saturday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Bellini Osteria Toscana

A family-owned Italian restaurant in Roswell, Georgia that has been open for about two years.

Roswell, Milton, and Alpharetta Fire Departments

The local fire departments that responded quickly to the fire at Bellini Osteria Toscana and were able to contain the blaze.

Johnny Ardaji

The owner's son, who was running food to tables when the fire broke out and is thankful for the firefighters' quick response.

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What they’re saying

“It saved the whole restaurant because if they didn't respond quick enough the whole roof would have went up, and it would have been way worse.”

— Johnny Ardaji, Owner's son (WSB-TV)

What’s next

The restaurant owners are assessing the damage, which they estimate will cost at least $100,000 to repair. They plan to work with their insurance provider and local authorities to determine the cause of the fire and ensure the restaurant can reopen as soon as possible.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the vital role that local fire departments play in protecting businesses and communities. The quick response of the Roswell, Milton, and Alpharetta firefighters likely prevented a much more devastating outcome for the family-owned Bellini Osteria Toscana restaurant, highlighting the importance of fire safety preparedness for all businesses.