Texas Firefighters Find Smoke, Barbecue -- But No

[BIGRED1 71]

DANIEL BORUNDA

El Paso Times

Firefighters expecting to find flames instead found simmering Texas smoke pit barbecue when they busted into a new restaurant Tuesday night in Northeast El Paso.

There was no fire, but the incident left behind two broken door locks, 100 pounds of ruined beef and an upset restaurant owner.

"We err on the side of safety," El Paso Fire Department spokesman Lt. Mario E. Hernandez said. "The (owner) would have been more upset if we had not gone in and the building had burned down. We don't know if it's a piece of chicken cooking or a fire."

Firefighters were dispatched at 9:36 p.m. Tuesday after a caller reported smoke on the roof and inside the building, a former Long John Silver's that had been empty for years at 5719 Dyer, by Broaddus Avenue.

Restaurant co-owner Adrian Newton said firefighters should have shown restraint and should have noticed the smokestacks and large signs stating Bodacious Bar-B-Q.

"It doesn't take a genius to see two smokestacks spitting smoke out of them," Newton said Wednesday as the smoky scent of barbecue wafted in the air.

The restaurant, which is decorated in a Texas and serves East Texas-style brisket and ribs, had just opened Saturday.

The meat is slow-cooked for 14 to 16 hours and was simmering overnight Tuesday. No employees were inside at the time.

Emergency radio transmissions described the location as Long John Silver's.

Six firefighting units arrived and found smoke flowing from vents and a strong odor of wood burning before firefighters made entry, fire officials said.

Newton said firefighters pried open a front door, damaged a rear door and unplugged the indoor pit cooker, which ruined the meat.

" 'Are you guys going to pay for our locks?' " Newton said he asked firefighters. "They said, 'No, we are just doing our jobs.' "

The Fire Department will not pay for damage because it was acting in good faith and exercising due diligence in protecting the business, Assistant Fire Chief Don Marron said.

He added that the case is under review and that a final report is pending.

As for Bodacious Bar-B-Q, they'll keep on cookin'.

"I don't have any hard feelings toward the Fire Department," Newton said. "I hope they come in and try some of our barbecue."

[JohnnyOV 2]

Serves them right for not having a Knox-Box.

[JohnnyOV 2]

Serves them right for not having a Knox-Box... I wonder if the Keyholder was called, and if he was , why they didnt wait for him/her.

←

[JohnnyOV 2]

whoa, the edit button is messed up. weird.