Despite a series of electrical explosions a few days prior, the management of the Old World Village’s German restaurant in Huntington Beach is set to resume Oktoberfest celebrations on Wednesday.
On Saturday, Oct. 5 the blasts struck in the midst of the festivities injuring five people, including the restaurant’s owner who suffered severe burns.
On Monday, the Bavarian-style village was quiet save for the sounds of workers who came in and out of the restaurant’s outdoor patio where the underground electrical vault is. A nearby stucco wall that was once cream like the rest of the eatery was now blackened. Most of the shops including the restaurant and its market were closed.
After the blasts, the three transformers in the underground vault were replaced by Southern California Edison workers who worked throughout the night. It’s still unknown what exactly caused them to blow up. Edison officials on Monday would say only that the investigation was ongoing.
The management was determined to reopen for Oktoberfest on Wednesday to continue a 42-year-old tradition.
“So far (Southern California) Edison is appearing to be very helpful in this matter,” Dan Escamilla, the Oktoberfest manager, said.
Escamilla said he’s hopeful that one outcome from these events is that the electrical workings will be moved away from where they are.
It isn’t the first time there was an explosion in that spot, Escamilla said.
One of the transformers in the same vault exploded in 2010, he said. In that case it happened in the wee morning hours and no one was injured.
In 2015, restaurant owner Bernie Bischof sent a letter to Southern California Edison asking they “remove this transformer … and relocate it,” Escamilla said, looking at a copy of the document.
Though he said it was too soon to talk about legal action against the power supplier, Escamilla said: “If legal action is taken, it will include the matter of having the transformers moved.”
Edison officials would not comment on the claims by the restaurant management.
On Monday, the priority for the restaurant’s management was the good of the injured Bischof, and the staff, Escamilla said.
“We were fortunate enough to have the services of the Huntington Beach Police Department chaplain,” Escamilla said. “He talked to about 40 staff members here … there were a lot of tears.”
“He said a prayer for Bernie.”
Bischof, 59, remains hospitalized, with burns to his arms, legs and torso. He is expected to go through skin graft surgeries this week, Escamilla said.
“He’s struggling right now,” he said. “But he’s going to make it.”
He lamented the explosion that sent five to the hospital — firefighters and restaurant staff — but maintained relief that no patrons were hurt. That’s something he credits Bischof with.
The owner had heard unfamiliar noises coming from the vault about one to two weeks before the explosions. He contacted Edison and asked someone to look into it, Escamilla said, and the equipment was inspected and they were told it was in good working order.
On the night of the blast, Bischof smelled something coming from the same spot and cleared the entire patio of jubilant patrons and called the fire department. As the firefighters, owner and two restaurant staff headed for the vault, it exploded.
As workers and media trickled throughout the village on Monday morning, the occasional person arrived hoping the restaurant’s market would be open.
Hani Ghattas, of Westminster, had hoped to buy his usual coffee and pastries.
“I saw the news on the television and could not believe,” he said. “I thought maybe the market would be open … it’s a beautiful place. I’ve been coming here for years.”
Ghattas was surprised more people weren’t injured. He knows how full it gets during Oktoberfest.
“I hope it was just an accident,” he said.
