An overnight fire at a Fresno strip mall destroyed four businesses. It happened around two o'clock Tuesday morning at First Street and McKinley.
Firefighters battled the fire well into Tuesday morning.
"I Can't believe it. I just worked here yesterday and now it's gone," said nephew of The Train Depot restaurant owner, Lance Freeman.
Freemon's dad was the original owner of The Train Depot and just two years ago, his aunt bought it. The breakfast spot was a landmark within the community that all ages enjoyed, including 7-year-old Chloe Tabor.
"The Train Depot was one of my favorite places and I'm really sad that it broke down," said little Chloe.
Residents from the community stop by to have a look at what's left of one of the restaurant. Firefighters and law enforcement made it a usual stop in the morning.
"We love The Train Depot. We've been eating there for many years in the fire department," said Public Information Officer of the Fresno Fire Department, Koby Johns.
The fire department says the fire started in the attic of one of the businesses and quickly spread. Due to unstable roofing, firefighters were pulled from inside to fight the flames from a safe distance.
"Shorty after that, a couple minutes after they made that decision the roof collapsed. So, had they been on the roof, they would have gone down. We would of had some fatalities," said Johns.
Nobody was injured. The fire department used nearly a million gallons of water to bring the fire under control. All four businesses (a laundromat, fish market, Thai restaurant and The Train Depot) are a total loss estimated at $1.7 million dollars. The loss affects many people within the community.
"It's been in our family for a long time. For everybody you know it's not just the restaurant, it's the people that work there. They all need the job as well you know," said Freeman.
Freeman said his family plans to rebuild The Train Depot as long as the property owner will rebuild.
Firefighters battled the fire well into Tuesday morning.
"I Can't believe it. I just worked here yesterday and now it's gone," said nephew of The Train Depot restaurant owner, Lance Freeman.
Freemon's dad was the original owner of The Train Depot and just two years ago, his aunt bought it. The breakfast spot was a landmark within the community that all ages enjoyed, including 7-year-old Chloe Tabor.
"The Train Depot was one of my favorite places and I'm really sad that it broke down," said little Chloe.
Residents from the community stop by to have a look at what's left of one of the restaurant. Firefighters and law enforcement made it a usual stop in the morning.
"We love The Train Depot. We've been eating there for many years in the fire department," said Public Information Officer of the Fresno Fire Department, Koby Johns.
The fire department says the fire started in the attic of one of the businesses and quickly spread. Due to unstable roofing, firefighters were pulled from inside to fight the flames from a safe distance.
"Shorty after that, a couple minutes after they made that decision the roof collapsed. So, had they been on the roof, they would have gone down. We would of had some fatalities," said Johns.
Nobody was injured. The fire department used nearly a million gallons of water to bring the fire under control. All four businesses (a laundromat, fish market, Thai restaurant and The Train Depot) are a total loss estimated at $1.7 million dollars. The loss affects many people within the community.
"It's been in our family for a long time. For everybody you know it's not just the restaurant, it's the people that work there. They all need the job as well you know," said Freeman.
Freeman said his family plans to rebuild The Train Depot as long as the property owner will rebuild.