March 24, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2004-08)
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
R. Steve Huffman
Public Information Officer
(251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813
E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org
FIRE DESTROYS LOCAL RESTAURANT
Mobile Firefighters responded to a building fire at Sonny's Real Pit BBQ, located at 5428 Halls Mill Road in Tillman's Corner on Tuesday afternoon, March 23, 2004. The fire was reported at approximately 5:02 p.m. with the first fire unit arriving at approximately 5:07 p.m. reporting heavy smoke and fire coming from the roof and two sides of the one-story, wood frame, brick veneer and wood siding constructed building. Employees, standing in the parking lot, told firefighters that everyone was out of the building. The first District Chief on the scene requested a 2nd alarm response because of the amount of fire and the size of the building. The fire appears to have originated in the "Smoker Room" located in the Southeast corner of the structure. The fire spread up to the ceiling of the smoker room and into the attic space of the structure. The fire spread through the doorway leading from the smoker room into the kitchen area and throughout the structure from there.
One employee told Mobile Fire Investigators that he discovered the fire and told the manager. Both attempted to extinguish the fire with hand held extinguishers.
The fire appears to have originated from a trashcan located in or near the smoker room. The exact cause remains under investigation.
Fire crews were rotated every two hours throughout the night until 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, March 24, 2004.
No injuries were reported in the fire that caused an estimated $1 million in damage. Engines 7, 6, 19, truck 24, rescue 6 and 7, and District 2 Chief P. Randy Smith responded on the 1st Alarm assignment. Engines 16, 22, truck 5 and District 3 Chief Alex Trenier and other Chief Officers and Support Staff responded on the 2nd Alarm assignment. Theodore Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the fire.
###
