Grant
Administrator
Official: Arlington fire likely accidental
By BILL MILLER and PATRICK McGEE
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITERS
ARLINGTON -- The blaze that destroyed the Black-eyed Pea restaurant in Lincoln Square shopping center in north Arlington early Thursday was probably accidental, but investigators won't know for sure until they peel back the wreckage, an official said.
Firefighters were called at 1 a.m. to the blaze at 1400 N. Collins St., and it was brought under control at 3:18 a.m., a dispatcher said. About 30 firefighters fought the blaze.
The roof collapsed soon after firefighters arrived, and the building appeared to be a complete loss. Investigators believe the answers to their questions are in the wreckage of the roof.
No one was injured. Fire officials were still investigating Thursday but do not believe it is an arson case, said fire investigator Keith Ebel. He said all the doors and windows were locked. "I believe it's going to be accidental, probably started in the roof above the kitchen," Ebel said. "But, because of the roof collapse, we're going to have to use some heavy equipment to basically pull the roof out of the building."
Ebel said he didn't know how long it might take, but he was returning to the scene to make an assessment. Most of the fire damage to the restaurant is at the attic level and above, he said, but the roof's collapse destroyed much of the building's interior.
The restaurant is at the heavily trafficked corner of Collins Street and Road to Six Flags, near Interstate 30.
Ebel said the building's distance from other structures in the area made it easier to fight the fire. A parking lot separates the free-standing building from the connected shops that make up Lincoln Square.
District manager Chris Stivers said Black-eyed Pea leases the 24-year-old building. The owner is Lincoln Square Ltd. Dunhill Partners. She said early Thursday that it was unsafe to enter the restaurant and survey the damage.
"We're definitely rebuilding on the property," she said.
Stivers said 40 to 50 people work at the restaurant. They are sending workers to other area Black-eyed Peas.
By BILL MILLER and PATRICK McGEE
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITERS
ARLINGTON -- The blaze that destroyed the Black-eyed Pea restaurant in Lincoln Square shopping center in north Arlington early Thursday was probably accidental, but investigators won't know for sure until they peel back the wreckage, an official said.
Firefighters were called at 1 a.m. to the blaze at 1400 N. Collins St., and it was brought under control at 3:18 a.m., a dispatcher said. About 30 firefighters fought the blaze.
The roof collapsed soon after firefighters arrived, and the building appeared to be a complete loss. Investigators believe the answers to their questions are in the wreckage of the roof.
No one was injured. Fire officials were still investigating Thursday but do not believe it is an arson case, said fire investigator Keith Ebel. He said all the doors and windows were locked. "I believe it's going to be accidental, probably started in the roof above the kitchen," Ebel said. "But, because of the roof collapse, we're going to have to use some heavy equipment to basically pull the roof out of the building."
Ebel said he didn't know how long it might take, but he was returning to the scene to make an assessment. Most of the fire damage to the restaurant is at the attic level and above, he said, but the roof's collapse destroyed much of the building's interior.
The restaurant is at the heavily trafficked corner of Collins Street and Road to Six Flags, near Interstate 30.
Ebel said the building's distance from other structures in the area made it easier to fight the fire. A parking lot separates the free-standing building from the connected shops that make up Lincoln Square.
District manager Chris Stivers said Black-eyed Pea leases the 24-year-old building. The owner is Lincoln Square Ltd. Dunhill Partners. She said early Thursday that it was unsafe to enter the restaurant and survey the damage.
"We're definitely rebuilding on the property," she said.
Stivers said 40 to 50 people work at the restaurant. They are sending workers to other area Black-eyed Peas.