Residents watch as Taco Bell burns to ground
Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007
Plumes of black smoke swept across Sixth Street on Saturday afternoon, as Fayetteville firefighters tried to extinguish a blaze at Taco Bell.
“ We were at Wal-Mart and saw the smoke, ” Amanda Scott, a Fayetteville resident, said. “ It was everywhere. ”
Fayetteville police rerouted both eastbound and westbound traffic at the intersection of Sixth Street and Hollywood.
Firefighters from Station No. 6, located just across the street from the fast food chain, were the first to arrive at the scene.
The blaze started at about 2 p. m. Firefighters responded at 2: 15 and had the fire under control at 4: 10 p. m. Fayetteville Fire Department Battallion Chief Terry Lawson said the building was a total loss.
“ The fire traveled to the attic and spread rapidly and caused a collapse, ” Lawson said.
Lawson said one firefighter suffered minor injuries while battling the blaze.
“ We found out about the fire when some guy came in to our lobby and told us, ” said Corey Land, McDonald’s employee. “ When I first came outside, there was just a little smoke. It wasn’t nearly as big as it is now. ”
Land said witnesses crowded in to the McDonald’s parking lot, located beside Taco Bell, to get a clear view of the action.
“ One lady came in and ordered four parfaits so she could enjoy the entertainment, ” he said.
Taco Bell employees refused to comment on how the blaze started.
According to one witness, the fire started in a box located at the back of the business. Employees reportedly tried to extinguish the flames but were unsuccessful. The witness said eight employees and five guests were forced to evacuate the restaurant. They then flagged down police, who notified Fayetteville firefighters.
Additional information about the blaze was not being released from the Fayetteville Fire Department as of press time Saturday.
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