Franklin Barbecue Restaurant In Austin Sustains Heavy Fire Damage

AUSTIN, TX — The iconic Franklin Barbecue restaurant caught fire early Saturday, resulting in substantial damage that will prompt temporary closure of the popular eatery for repairs, fire officials confirmed.

The fire was sparked just before 6 a.m., according to Austin Fire Department officials. Once there to assess the damage, fire crews found the smokehouse was almost completely destroyed and part of the roof had caved in.

The smoking pits, kitchen and dining room escaped damage, according to reports. All told, fire officials are estimating property damage to the legendary restaurant, 900 E. 11th St., at upwards of $350,000.

Fire officials are blaming a stray ember floating out of a smoke pit for the damage, and have ruled the cause of the conflagration as accidental. The fire started in the pit room next to the main dining room of the establishment, according to fire officials, resulting in heavy fire damage. Fire officials said the second floor of the diner was also hard hit by the blaze.

In an Austin landscape dotted with barbecue joints, Franklin Barbecue stands alone, as attested by the lines of people often waiting up to three hours just to get in to dine there. Pitmaster Aaron Franklin has garnered numerous accolades for his singular creations, including the prestigious James Beard award.

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