A sushi restaurant on Huffman Road in South Anchorage was severely damaged in a fire early Sunday, the Anchorage Fire Department reports.

At 2:06 a.m., a passerby noticed smoke coming from the rear of Sushi Garden and called 911. The closest fire station is just a block or so away from the restaurant, located at 1120 E. Huffman Road. Fire officials didn't immediate have a time on when the first firefighters arrived but battalion chief Mark Hall said it could have been under 2 minutes.

Smoke was venting from the sides of the building, The first crews on the scene called for backup. In all, the Fire Department send 13 units to the fire.

The fire began in the kitchen and was contained to that part of the building. But other parts of the building suffered smoke damage. Fire officials estimated the damage at $235,000.

The investigation is continuing but the fire does not appear suspicious, Hall said. The sushi restaurant had a complete kitchen and served hot meals, as well as raw fish items. The fire appears to have started on top of the commercial walk-in refrigerator, Hall said. Crews also determined that a breaker had tripped, he said.

No one was in the restaurant when the fire began.

The fire marshal and a fire investigator will inspect the restaurant Monday in an attempt to determine the cause, Hall said.

Reach Lisa Demer at ldemer@adn.com or 257-4390.