Post last updated at 4:54 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14:
Cielito Lindo, a popular Mexican and Latin American restaurant in downtown Lawrence, was destroyed by a fire Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
The fire was reported around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday at the restaurant, 815 New Hampshire St., according to the Pulse Point app. Numerous fire apparatus were called to the scene to assist as the fire burned for hours overnight.
One firefighter reported a minor injury related to the incident, and there were no injuries to anyone else, according to a news release from Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.
The first firefighters on scene entered the building to confirm there was no one inside and to start fire suppression operations, according to the release.
“After completing a rapid search of the structure, deteriorating interior conditions necessitated a transition to a ‘defensive’ strategy which limits fire suppression activities to exterior positions,” according to the release. “Aerial apparatus were located on two sides of the building to provide elevated water streams. Additional handlines (hoses operated by firefighters) were placed into operation around the building, including in the alley.”
The fire was out by 7 a.m., but crews remained on the scene Thursday morning to put out any remaining hotspots.
Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire as conditions allow, according to the release.
The building shares a wall with 811 New Hampshire St. There was no extension of the fire into the neighboring building, but some water seeped through the walls, according to the release.
Some roads downtown were closed so LDCFM responders could work on the fire, according to the release.
“LDCFM would like to remind people to not drive past ‘road closed’ signs and to never drive over fire hose,” according to the release. “Unauthorized traffic in and around fire scenes is extraordinarily dangerous for firefighters and damaged hoses can both delay fire suppression and injure firefighters.”
Thursday afternoon, the city announced in a news release that staff members have place barricades around the building to err on the side of caution, though they do not believe the building is in imminent danger of additional collapse.
“The extent of damage and the level of instability of the remaining roof-wall assembly along the west and south exterior walls is currently unknown,” according to the release.
The city will raise 6-foot chain-link fencing and barricades to prevent vehicle access to the parking lot on New Hampshire Street between Eighth and Ninth streets. “The north part of this parking lot is within the fall zone if the south wall of Cielito Lindo were to collapse,” according to the release.
The fence will continue to the west across the alley and tie into the rear steps of Limestone Pizza. The alley from south of Limestone to Ninth Street will remain open, as it is outside the fall zone. A barricade will also be in place at the Eighth Street (north) end of the alley to prevent vehicles and pedestrians from entering.
“Our team is notifying all affected businesses that alley access in this specific area should only be for emergency situations until further notice,” according to the release. “In addition to the fence and barricades, our team is posting numerous unsafe structure/premises placards along the fence perimeter to clearly warn pedestrians.”
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Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
