On Thursday night, an electrical fire wreaked havoc on Asia Wok in Waltham, causing an estimated $20,000 in damage to the popular late-night delivery and takeout restaurant.

A 911 call placed to Waltham Police at 8:12 p.m. on Thursday reported the presence of smoke inside the restaurant’s 573 Main Street location.

The fire took first responders almost three hours to put out, according to an Aug. 19 Waltham News Tribune article.

According to Waltham Fire Deputy Chief Cliff Richardson, the fire likely started due to electrical failure in the walls.

After smoke appeared in the restaurant, the fire spread from the walls in the rear of the building, Richardson told the News Tribune. In order to extinguish the flames, firefighters needed to open up the walls and ceiling.

Ultimately, six fire trucks and 19 firefighters arrived at the scene to put out the fire, which was eventually ruled unintentional, according to the article. One firefighter was injured at the scene but was able to continue putting out the fire.

Due to the damage to the food preparation areas, the restaurant will be closed until repairs are completed and Waltham officials allow the restaurant to serve food again, according to the article.

“We closed them down because the fire contaminated their prep area,” Waltham Assistant Director of Public Health Michelle Feeley was quoted in the Waltham News Tribune article as saying. “They had a lot of food out because they were doing takeout orders.”

She added that the health department will inspect the restaurant after the fire department, the building department and the owner’s insurance company deem the structure safe.

—Abby Patkin