Pete’s on Johnston Street in Lafayette Temporarily Shuts Doors After Fire Incident
A fire incident has led to the temporary closure of the beloved local restaurant and sports bar, Pete's, located on Johnston Street.
The Lafayette Fire Department responded swiftly to a distress call at approximately 2:35 pm earlier today, as reports of heavy smoke billowing from the building came pouring in from passersby. The emergency call was made by an employee of the restaurant, alerting authorities to a fire that had ignited on the exterior of the establishment.
Within a remarkably quick response time of just two minutes, first responders were on the scene. Upon arrival, they encountered a building engulfed in flames, with the fire visibly spreading to the roof. Firefighters immediately initiated suppression efforts, battling the blaze for a solid twenty minutes before successfully extinguishing it. Despite their valiant efforts, significant portions of the establishment suffered substantial fire damage, while the seating area within took on most of the heavy smoke damage.
The fortunate news, however, was that at the time of the incident, the business was occupied. Quick and efficient action allowed all employees to evacuate the premises unharmed. Thanks to the concerted efforts of Lafayette's firefighting team, the situation was brought under control without any reported injuries.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Lafayette Fire Department revealed that the fire originated in a fenced area attached to the building. The cause, however, has not yet been conclusively determined. One of the main sources of concern was an automated grease maintenance machine within this area, boasting two large grease containers dedicated to the kitchen fryers. This particular area is primarily used by employees and food supply personnel.
According to a spokesperson from Pete's, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and it might take some time for investigators to reach a definitive conclusion. The restaurant and sports bar management is eagerly awaiting the final investigative report, anticipated to be released within the next week. The spokesperson indicated that the majority of the damage occurred externally, but the fire's impact managed to disrupt the establishment's electrical systems. This unforeseen electrical damage has necessitated the closure of Pete's until the issue can be fully resolved.
While the fire has undoubtedly dealt a blow to the cherished Lafayette establishment, the local fire department has granted clearance for Pete's to initiate the process of cleaning up the interior. The team at Pete's is determined to restore the beloved gathering spot to its former glory as soon as possible.
As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, the community has already rallied around Pete's on Johnston Street, in hopes for a swift recovery and reopening of this popular local hub.
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