JASPER, Texas — Tia Juanita's Fish Camp in Jasper went up in flames early Monday morning.
The fire happened around 1:05 a.m. in the 4600 block of North Wheeler Street, Jasper Volunteer Fire Department said. No one was hurt in the blaze, firefighters said.
The Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department said in a Facebook post they were called to assist Jasper Volunteer Fire Department with the fire. Crews didn't leave until after 4 a.m.
"We had it under control within a couple hours," Jasper Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Eric Melendez said.
The restaurant opened in Jasper two years ago and had become popular with locals.
Monday's fire came just before Gov. Abbott announced restaurants can reopen with occupancy restrictions amid the pandemic. Tia Juanita's was offering to-go meals only, like many other Southeast Texas eateries.
Tia Juanita's owner Ricky Martinez told our news partners at the Beaumont Enterprise he's unsure if they will rebuild.
"We have to see what the insurance is going to do, he said. "I don't know that we can rebuild at that location. It's so bad. You have to clear everything off and start over. We still might go back, but I don't know."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Officials said the fire started near the kitchen and small dining room area.
One employee told 12News that the news brought tears to her eyes.
