Two fires were reported in Richmond Hill Tuesday.

A house fire Tuesday in Richmond Hill is under investigation.

According to Richmond Hill Fire Chief Ralph Catlett, the RHFD was dispatched around 10 a.m. and arrived at 2501 Harris Trail at about 10:05. Smoke and flames were discovered at the back door of the structure.

Catlett said it took only a few minutes to fight the fire, adding that there was a lot of smoke but not much fire. The structure sustained minimal fire damage and moderate smoke damage, and no one was home at the time, the chief said.

Catlett said the cause of the fire is suspicious.

A fire heavily damaged the kitchen of The Beijing House on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Richmond Hill Fire Chief Ralph Catlett, an employee had forgotten to set a timer on a smoker used to cook spare ribs at the restaurant in Ford Plaza.

Smoke started to pour from the smoker. When an employee opened the device, flames shot out, catching the kitchen walls on fire.

Catlett said the fire occurred around 2 p.m. and Richmond Hill firefighters were able to bring it under control quickly before the fire spread. No one was injured.

Catlett said the restaurant will be closed temporarily while repairs are made.  

— Brent Zell and Lewis Levine