Fire Forces Closure of Stella’s Bar and Grill

A well-known Bellevue restaurant is temporarily shutting its doors after an early morning fire was discovered on Wednesday.

Stella’s Bar and Grill announced the closure in a social media message posted shortly after 10 a.m., describing the situation as difficult and expressing heartbreak over the damage. The restaurant said it will remain closed until further notice.

According to the Bellevue Fire Department, crews were dispatched shortly after 7 a.m. after a delivery driver noticed smoke coming from the building and alerted authorities. When firefighters first entered, there was no visible active blaze. However, further investigation revealed a smoldering fire in the basement that had spread into the surrounding floor and wall structures.

There were no injuries reported during the incident.

Fire officials are examining a pile of used rags on the basement floor as a potential ignition source.

During suppression efforts, crews also found that a water pipe above the fire area had been knocked loose, allowing water to pour into the space. In addition to fire damage, the restaurant experienced substantial water damage, affecting electrical systems, plumbing, structural components, and interior areas exposed to smoke.