Cancun Dave's destroyed by fire

Cancun Dave's restaurant on U.S. Hwy. 259 was completely destroyed by fire Thursday night. Firefighters called to the scene around 11:30 found flames venting through the roof. Cancun Dave's owners Wayne Simmons and his wife Stephanie aren't sure what they will do since their restaurant was destroyed by fire Thursday night.

The restaurant, in business on U.S. Hwy. 259 since 1990, was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters were called to the scene around 11:30 p.m., said Dennis Gage, KFD operations chief.

The cause remains under investigation, he said.

A fire Wednesday night was reported at Buffet City in the Midtown shopping center. Gage said he was not sure of the damage but he thought the fire may have begun in the vent-a-hood area in the kitchen.

Owner Joe Zhang said he hoped to be back open for business sometime Friday, following a health department inspection.

He said the fire began around 8:30 p.m. in the kitchen and a few customers were evacuated.

Firemen did not leave the fire scene at Cancun Dave's until 4 a.m.

"The flames had already vented through the roof when crews arrived," Gage said.

Two fire engines and KFD's new ladder truck were dispatched from stations 1 and 3, he said.

The restaurant was closed at the time and no firefighters were injured.