A kitchen fire broke out at a Merrick restaurant late Wednesday, officials say.

They say the flames started just before midnight at Fuji Seoul Japanese and Korean Restaurant on Merrick Avenue.

News 12 is told it took two hours and around 125 firefighters from 11 departments to put the fire out.

Police say about five of the businesses in the common storefront sustained water, smoke or fire damage.

"This is a little setback for us but we're not down and out," says Margaret Mueller, manager of R.S. Beanery. "Hopefully we'll be open in a couple of days and get the place back up - but we didn't really suffer too much damage."

Nearby homes were evacuated but none were damaged.

Fire officials say one firefighter was taken to the hospital with a minor injury.

He is expected to be OK.