SAN ANTONIO – A fire early Tuesday morning caused heavy damage to a Mexican restaurant on the Northeast Side of town, as well as some minor damage to a business next door.
San Antonio firefighters were called to Sary’s Mexican Restaurant, located in a strip mall in the 6100 block of Montgomery Drive, around 5 a.m.
Firefighters say they found flames coming from a window in the kitchen area.
Crews worked quickly to keep it from spreading throughout the strip mall.
Once they had it knocked down, they found evidence that someone had been inside the restaurant, preparing food, prior to the start of the fire.
Firefighters say it appears someone left a pot of beans and other food cooking on the stove.
A man who identified himself as the owner later told KSAT 12 he had arrived around 3 a.m. to get his restaurant ready for the day ahead.
He said after preparing food, he went to his truck to take a nap.
When he woke up, he said, he saw the fire.
Arson investigators were called in to locate the exact cause of the fire, although firefighters said it did not appear to be suspicious.
They said the restaurant sustained heavy fire damage in the kitchen and smoke damage throughout.
Jarvis Williams, who owns a barber shop next door, said the fire also left his business with smoke damage.
He said part of his ceiling was damaged, as well, when firefighters were making sure the fire was out.
Williams said due to the fire, his barbershop will remain closed until Wednesday.