|
Published: September 27, 2008 02:51 am
TOWN OF LOCKPORT: Fire strikes Alexander's Family Restaurant
By April Amadon E-mail April
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
TOWN OF LOCKPORT —
A fire in the kitchen at Alexander’s Family Restaurant on South Transit Road on Friday afternoon quickly spread, causing extensive damage inside.
Owner Alexander Pozantidis said he was doing paperwork in his office about noon when the fire broke out.
Several employees told sheriff’s deputies they heard a loud noise coming from the fryer vents before seeing flames in the kitchen.
Jeff D’Auria of Lockport was driving south on Transit, returning home from a trip to Tops, when he saw the flames.
D’Auria pulled into the parking lot and said he saw Pozantidis on the roof, attempting to put out the flames.
The smoke had not yet spread to the dining room, where D’Auria said he could see about a dozen people eating, he said.
“I ran inside to get everybody out,” he said. “They had no clue there was a fire going on. I just ran in and said, ‘Everybody’s gotta get out of here.’ ”
Sheriff’s Sgt. Kevin Locicero said deputies responded to the scene shortly afterward and saw customers leaving through the front door. Several employees were standing outside the building, and they said everyone was out, except Pozantidis, who was still on the roof, the report said.
“The owner was trying to put out the flames on the roof,” Locicero said.
Deputies entered the building to make sure it was clear, and told Pozantidis to get down from the roof and leave the restaurant, the report said.
Fire crews from the South Lockport, Rapids, Wendelville, Terry’s Corners and Wright’s Corners volunteer fire departments soon arrived.
The air around the restaurant was filled with thick black smoke as firefighters broke through walls and windows to get in.
Pozantidis said no staff members or customers were injured.
Two firefighters from the Rapids Volunteer Fire Department sustained minor injuries and were treated and released at Lockport Memorial Hospital, deputies said.
Standing behind the restaurant, several employees in “Alexander’s” T-shirts embraced and watched, some in tears, as the firefighters went to work.
Angela McClain of Lockport said she was driving north on Transit and passed the scene before fire crews arrived.
“I said, ‘Oh, God, it looks like a fire up there!’ ” McClain said. “The place was flying.”
McClain said she has family visiting from Hawaii, and they had planned to eat at Alexander’s before they left town.
She said it took over 10 minutes for fire crews to arrive.
Locicero said fire crews would likely remain on the scene throughout the day Friday to make sure the hot spots were completely out.
Once it was deemed safe, fire investigators reportedly escorted Pozantidis inside the building to retrieve money and business papers from the office area.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. A press release from the sheriff’s department indicated the fire was contained to the kichen area, and damage was estimated at $150,000.
Alexander’s has been open for two years. The restaurant, which specializes in Greek food, was a part of this year’s Taste of Lockport event and advertised after-concert specials during the Molson Canal Concert Series.
Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Hospitality/Tourism Instructor
Hospitality/Tourism. NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE is seeking applications for part-time instructor to teach hospita...>MORE
SHIPPING CLERK
Shipping Clerk, p/t, 30-35 hrs. wk., exp. in warehouse environment, knowledge of Word/Excel, data entry, UPS, freight ch...>MORE
Maintenance Technician
MAINTENANCE Technician, FT, exp. needed in electrical, plumbing, heating & cooling, Apply in person bet. 9 & 5 at 6751 ...>MORE
Cook
COOK full time. Apply in person only, Augie’s Diner, 2470 Military Rd. ...>MORE
Recreational Aide
Recreational Aide - Full/part time. Performs hand on activities to include crafts, cooking, recreational and social acti...>MORE
BILINGUAL PHONE INTERVIEWER
Bilingual Telephone interviewer. Surveys for insurance policy review. Spanish/English a Must. ft/pt & Sat. No sales/coll...>MORE
DRIVER
Driver, light pick up & delivery, need own car, no WNY, valid NYS driver lic., good pay 694-1251...>MORE
Grill Cook
GRILL COOK & Waitresses, exp only, full time. Apply within 2021 Main St. Nia Falls ...>MORE
Adult Residential Services Administrator
HUMAN SERVICES Progressive Niagara County Agency serving adults with psychiatric disabilties seeks an Adult Reside...>MORE
INSURANCE - CSR with Personal Lines exp., for Lockport area. $25,000 salary. 433-7504...>MORE
See all ads |
Ford 1999 Windstar
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
Monte Carlo Z24 1998
MONTE CARLO Z24, 1998, runs good, average miles, excellent shape, $1800 , 990-2303...>MORE
1999 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1999 Caravan, 33, V6, auto, A/C, 99k miles, good cond., runs great. $1950. 525-7796...>MORE
Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE
Yamaha 1982, 750
YAMAHA 1982, 750, runs perfect, low mileage, $895. 716-525-2889...>MORE
Ford 1998 F150
FORD 1998 F150, standard cab, 4wd, excellent shape, $3495. 716-525-2889...>MORE
Dodge 1993 Dakota 4x4
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE
See all ads |
|
See all ads |
|
 |
|