Published: September 27, 2008 02:51 am      

TOWN OF LOCKPORT: Fire strikes Alexander's Family Restaurant

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.