Kitchen fire damages Alamo Cafe restaurant on Highway 281

Motor of hood vent caught fire at local tortilla factory

SAN ANTONIO – An overnight fire damaged a popular restaurant on the city's North Side early Thursday, San Antonio firefighters said.

The fire was reported just before 12:30 a.m. at the Alamo Cafe restaurant on Highway 281, about an hour and a half after the restaurant's closing for the day.

Firefighters said they arrived to find smoke showing from the roof. The fire was contained to the kitchen, but smoke did spread to the rest of the building.

According to the restaurant's general manager, Ruan Weidenbach, the fire started in the kitchen after the motor of the hood vent caught fire. The fire was quickly put out.

Weidenbach said although there's not visible exterior damage customers may notice there's a lot of smoke and water damage left behind to clean up.

Authorities said an inspection from the Fire Marshal, the food inspector, and a hood vent expert will be needed before the restaurant can open its doors again. 

At this time it is not clear when the restaurant will reopen, but Weidenbach said they're hoping that it will be in the next day or two depending on how extensive the damage is.

Both the San Antonio Police Department and the San Antonio Fire Department answered the call. No one was hurt.


About the Authors:

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.

Alicia Barrera is a KSAT 12 News reporter and anchor. She is also a co-host of the streaming show KSAT News Now. Alicia is a first-generation Mexican-American, fluent in both Spanish and English with a bachelor's degree from Our Lady of the Lake University. She enjoys reading books, traveling solo across Mexico and spending time with family.