MIAMI (WSVN) - Firefighters have extinguished flames that engulfed a popular taco restaurant in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.
City of Miami Fire Rescue crews responded to the Taqueria Viva Mexico located along Southwest 12th Avenue and Fifth Street at around 5:30 a.m., Thursday.
“There was a heavy smoke showing when the units arrived on the scene,” said City of Miami Battalion Chief Robert Jorge. “They quickly combated the flames and fire. The due diligence of these firefighters saved the structure this morning.”
7News cameras captured the front door and walls in the entrance area left charred in the aftermath.
Most of the damage was contained to inside of the restaurant, but Felix Hernandez, the owner of a wire transfer business next door, said his store also sustained some damage.
“A little damage but the most is the smoke,” said Hernandez.
He told 7News how the fire was discovered.
“A couple was walking by here at about 5:30 in the morning, and they saw a lot of smoke, and they started knocking [on doors] all [around] the neighborhood and people after that called 911,” said Hernandez.
The owner of the taqueria estimates the fire caused about $15,000 to $20,000 worth of damage.
She told 7News she is unsure when she will be able to open the restaurant’s doors again because about 70% of her business has been damaged.
“[It’s] a very popular restaurant that a lot of the neighbors frequent very often, and because it’s not going to be in service for a while now I’m sure that they’ll sorely miss it,” said Jorge.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
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