Update: 4-Alarm Blaze Ravages Downtown Tampa Restaurant

TAMPA, FL — It took Tampa Fire Rescue more than four hours to douse a fire that broke out Sunday night at the Szechuan House restaurant at 508 N. Franklin St., in downtown Tampa.

Firefighters responded to the two-story building at 5:45 p.m. and found heavy smoke coming from the restaurant, which was closed at the time.

According to Tampa Fire Rescue, the fire began in the kitchen and quickly spread, prompting the incident commander to call for a second and third alarm to summon additional units to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings. Later, a fourth alarm was called when the fire consumed the roof and second floor, causing a structural collapse.

Firefighters continued to douse the flames with water from multiple ladder trucks to get the fire under control by 10 p.m.

Crews were been able to contain the fire to the original building, which included the restaurant and living quarters on the second floor.

Tampa Fire Rescue said the fire caused major fire, heat and smoke damage to the entire structure. Damage to the building is estimated at $300,000 while damage to the commercial kitchen equipment and other household items is estimated at $150,000 for a total estimated loss of $450,000.

There were multiple buildings with common walls on the block so the entire block was evacuated to ensure the safety of the public. Some surrounding business are working to get power restored and clean up smoke damage before opening.

The fire marshal was on the scene Monday morning to assist business owners in reopening.

One person was inside the structure when the fire started but was able to escape with minor injuries that were treated at the scene.

Two firefighters sustained minor injuries while fighting the blaze. Both were transported to Tampa General Hospital for evaluation and released.

As of now, the cause of the fire is undetermined but fire investigators are continuing to investigate the cause.