We were downtown today at around 2:30 when we saw the beginning of this fire. It didn't go well. It blew out 3 store fronts and injured at least 3 people.
Updated at 6:15 from the Herald website...
An explosion caused by a fire that began in Seasons Rotisserie & Grill destroyed the local eatery and two neighboring businesses Friday afternoon. At least seven firefighters were injured.
Dave Abercrombie, spokesman for the Durango and Fire Rescue Authority, said the fire was reported at 1:39 p.m. after smoke and flames were seen coming from the roof of Seasons Restaurant. At approximately 2:30 p.m. the fronts of Seasons, 764 Main Ave.; Le Rendezvous, 750 Main Ave.; and Half-Price Tees, 758 Main Ave. exploded in a fireball, showering the street with flying glass, bricks and other debris.
“It looked like the whole roof of Le Rendezvous rose up,” said Tom Barnes, who witnessed the explosion from a roof on East Second Avenue. “The lead guy at the hose went pinwheeling. He disappeared into the smoke and we couldn’t see him.”
Three firefighters were blown from the roof by the explosion, according to DFRA spokesman Dave Imming.
Seven firefighters were taken to the hospital, said David Bruzzese, spokesman for Mercy Regional Medical Center. Six were listed in good condition and one in fair condition. At least three of the firefighters were admitted. As of 5:45 p.m. two firefighters had been treated and released.
Photo from the Durango Herald Website
