Two-alarm fire contained at Brandeis’ Stein Bar; no injuries reported

A two-alarm fire broke out Monday afternoon at the Stein Bar and Restaurant on the Brandeis University campus, sending heavy smoke through the building but causing no injuries, officials said.

Smoke was reported shortly after 3 p.m., and firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the restaurant, according to the Waltham Fire Department. Crews quickly traced the blaze to the kitchen’s ductwork and ventilation system, where flames were burning out of reach.

Multiple companies were called to assist as firefighters worked both inside the restaurant and on the roof, opening ducts and ceiling spaces to locate and extinguish hidden fire. A second alarm was struck to bring additional manpower to help pry open walls, check for possible fire extension and overhaul smoldering sections of the duct system.

The fire sent smoke through parts of the restaurant and surrounding areas of the building, prompting crews to set up ventilation to clear the interior. Despite the heavy smoke and the difficulty of accessing the fire deep inside the ductwork, firefighters contained the blaze before it spread to other parts of the structure, officials said.

Firefighters remained on scene for about an hour to monitor for hot spots and ventilate the space. Brandeis facilities and public safety staff assessed potential impacts to campus operations as crews cleared the scene. No injuries were reported.