Fire strikes restaurant

By Eddie West

Staff Writer

A devastating fire destroyed a popular Gordonsville restaurant.

The fire occurred at The Loft Texas Smokehouse Restaurant in Gordonsville located on the north side of Interstate 40 across Gordonsville Highway/Highway 53 from Subway. Tuesday afternoon. 

The building was formerly home to the highly popular Timberloft Restaurant until this month after changing ownership.

A caller from 911 reported smoke coming from the back of the restaurant, where the kitchen is located and where the fire started. The report came in at 2:54 p.m. 

Minutes later a caller reported heavy smoke coming from other areas of the building.

Gordonsville, South Carthage, Central District and Carthage fire departments were dispatched to the scene, located at 470 Gordonsville Highway.

Multiple firemen from each department as well as multiple fire engines responded to the call 

Once arriving on the scene, firemen attacked the blaze from the back and entrance to the structure.

Initially, only thick smoke could be seen rising from the building.

Eventually, flames began to penetrate the middle section of the structure’s roof which collapsed around 3.42 p.m.

Firemen battled the blaze for some time before it was under control.

Firemen remained at the scene until 8:42 p.m.

Employees were inside the restaurant when the fire started.

In addition to fire departments, Gordonsville police and ambulance service personnel responded to the scene.

The county’s hazardous materials unit was dispatched to the scene because of hydraulic fluid leaking from one of the fire trucks on the scene.

The final day the restaurant was open as the Timberloft was January 31.

The restaurant reopened as The Loft Texas Smokehouse on February 11 under new ownership.

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