FRANKLIN PARK, Pa. — No one was hurt in a restaurant fire in Allegheny County on Wednesday night.
Allegheny County 911 officials tell Channel 11 that firefighters were called to the Franklin Inn Mexican Restaurant on Rochester Road in Franklin Park before 8 p.m.
When our crew got on scene, they saw light smoke coming from the roof.
Fire officials on scene tell us the fire started in the kitchen.
On Thursday, the restaurant posted on social media, thanking the first responders who “saved our restaurant last night.”
“We are grateful that no one was hurt,” the post reads. “The Inn will be temporarily closed for repairs. Not sure of the timeline yet. It looks like at least a couple of months. I will let you know when we get a better handle on it. We will miss celebrating the holidays together with you. Thank you for the well wishes, prayers and kind comments.”
Restoration crews were busy working throughout much of the day Thursday.
Donna Siegrist and her husband stopped by the restaurant a little after 1 p.m., hoping to get lunch.
“We were coming here for lunch. I just finished up physical therapy, I just had my knee done, I had total knee replacement,” Siegrist said.
She said they enjoy a meal here a few times a month.
“I love the fact that the food is always fresh, their chimichangas are delicious, their salads are delicious too, and their margaritas are really good,” she told Channel 11’s Andrew Havranek.
They didn’t realize the restaurant was closed following the fire.
“We’re very sad to see this happen,” Siegrist said. “I feel sorry for John. He took over the business from his mom and dad. It was a mom and dad business. I feel real sorry for John. I’m sorry this happened to you, John.”
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal is working to find out just how the fire started.
“It’s devastating whenever something like that happens, like, gee whiz,” said Bill Howrilla, who used to live down the road from the restaurant.
Customers we talked to are just hopeful they’ll be back in business soon.
“I certainly am,” Siegrist said.
“And you’ll keep coming back, right?” Havranek asked.
“I sure will. We only live 10 minutes down the road,” Siegrist said.
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