A health inspector with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued an imminent health hazard to the owners of China Wok in Auburn on June 22, forcing its closure after a small grease fire the same day.

An imminent health hazard is the most serious declaration inspectors can issue.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that a health inspection team responded to the fire on June 22 along with the Auburn Fire Department, and observed mouse droppings in the restaurant.

The DHHS said the imminent health hazard was issued for the fire and pest infestation.

“The Department understands that China Wok is working on cleaning up from the fire and working towards pest mitigation,” DHHS Press Secretary Lindsay Hammes wrote Tuesday.

The restaurant cannot open until the fire cleanup and mitigation are completed, the restaurant is reinspected and deemed safe, and the imminent health hazard is lifted.

Any time there is a fire in a restaurant, the licensing agency, in this case Maine CDC, is required to review the scene and work with the owner/operator to follow a process for reopening.

The Auburn Fire Department said it responded to China Wok, at 730 Center St., within minutes after receiving a call of a fire at 12:44 p.m. on June 22.

Firefighters reported smoke from the roof of the restaurant upon arrival, the department said.  Once inside crews found a working fire in the kitchen that extended into the duct work of the cooking ventilation system. Crews quickly extinguished the fire with minimal damage to the building, according to the fire department.

Efforts to reach China Wok have been unsuccessful.

The Buzz offers quick hits about trending area business happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact business writer Christopher Wheelock at 689-2817 or [email protected]