Antwerp restaurant The Jane closed after fire

Antwerp's double Michelin-starred restaurant The Jane has been forced to close for a month after a fire during a busy Saturday lunchtime service.

The fire started on a kitchen grill and spread through the extraction system to the roof. About 50 staff were on site and 100 diners - who were each offered a complimentary glass of champagne outside.

Sous-chef Nick Bril tried to extinguish the fire himself but could not bring it under control.

"All the food products in the kitchen must now be thrown out," he said. "Then we will really be able to measure the damage."

He added: "I estimate that we will need at least two weeks for the repairs. Then we were going to be closed anyway for the Easter holidays. So I'm guessing that we will open again at the earliest in a month."

Fire chief Hans Somers told Het Nieuwsblad: "The damage is considerable. The [kitchen] ceiling has been completely destroyed and will have to be built again."

The Jane is owned by TV celebrity chef Sergio Herman.