Bryan Titsworth / WFAA-TV
Flames could be seen from the roof at the rear of the restaurant.Video
Video of the fire scene
August 25, 2008
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DALLAS - The owner of the La Calle Doce restaurants says it will be weeks before the Lakewood location reopens after an early morning fire damaged the popular Tex-Mex outpost.
Laura Sanchez says it may be two months before the restaurant reopens. She said the Lakewood location might be ready for customers in three weeks at the soonest. "That is very wishful thinking," she said today.
The fire, reported at about 1:20 a.m. in the 1900 block of Skillman Street near the Lakewood Country Club, was under control in about an hour, according to a Dallas Fire-Rescue dispatcher.
An electrical short in the kitchen caused $150,000 in damage to the building as well as a $50,000 loss of contents, said Sherrie Lopez, a Dallas Fire-Rescue spokeswoman.
The outside of the restaurant appeared to have little damage.
"It's mostly smoke damage. Just a little structural damage," said John Palmer of Mooring Recovery Services, a company that assists buisnesses and residents after a disaster.
Palmer, who is a frequent customer at La Calle Doce, said he was dispatched to the scene by his company this morning.
The restaurant windows were clouded by smoke and parts of the roof were charred. Crews had pulled out damaged pieces of the ventilation system.
Rafael Gonzalez, a restaurant employee, said the business owner had plans to repair the damage.
"It's a good business, a good restaurant," he said. "It's worst for the customers."
Wes Smith, a former Lakewood resident who now lives in Denver, was filling up his car at a nearby gas station when he learned of the fire.
"It's the only good seafood restaurant I knew," Smith said.
Hank Yarbrough, who was leaving the nearby Goldrush Cafe this morning, said he is a frequent diner at La Calle Doce.
"I am sorry it's closed," he said. "I love their nachos. They are great."
The owner of the Goldrush Cafe said the fire will hurt all the La Calle Doce employees.
"It's tough for the little business," said George Sanchez, who is not related to the owners of La Calle Doce.
Sanchez and her family, who own La Calle Doce and El Ranchito, were in the spotlight earlier this year during the trial of a former waiter accused of killing Sanchez's son. Former employee Edgar "Richie" Acevedo was sentenced to life in June for the 2005 kidnapping and murder of Oscar Sanchez.
George Sanchez said the news of the fire was terrible.
"The family has been through so much," he said.
Dallas Morning News staff writer Blanca Cantu contributed to this report.
