TOWN OF LOCKPORT — A fire in the kitchen at Alexander’s Family Restaurant on South Transit Road on Friday afternoon quickly spread, causing extensive damage inside.
Owner Alexander Pozantidis said he was doing paperwork in his office about noon when the fire broke out.
Several employees told sheriff’s deputies they heard a loud noise coming from the fryer vents before seeing flames in the kitchen.
Jeff D’Auria of Lockport was driving south on Transit, returning home from a trip to Tops, when he saw the flames.
D’Auria pulled into the parking lot and said he saw Pozantidis on the roof, attempting to put out the flames.
The smoke had not yet spread to the dining room, where D’Auria said he could see about a dozen people eating, he said.
“I ran inside to get everybody out,” he said. “They had no clue there was a fire going on. I just ran in and said, ‘Everybody’s gotta get out of here.’ ”
Sheriff’s Sgt. Kevin Locicero said deputies responded to the scene shortly afterward and saw customers leaving through the front door. Several employees were standing outside the building, and they said everyone was out, except Pozantidis, who was still on the roof, the report said.
“The owner was trying to put out the flames on the roof,” Locicero said.
Deputies entered the building to make sure it was clear, and told Pozantidis to get down from the roof and leave the restaurant, the report said.
Fire crews from the South Lockport, Rapids, Wendelville, Terry’s Corners and Wright’s Corners volunteer fire departments soon arrived.
The air around the restaurant was filled with thick black smoke as firefighters broke through walls and windows to get in.
Pozantidis said no staff members or customers were injured.
Two firefighters from the Rapids Volunteer Fire Department sustained minor injuries and were treated and released at Lockport Memorial Hospital, deputies said.
Standing behind the restaurant, several employees in “Alexander’s” T-shirts embraced and watched, some in tears, as the firefighters went to work.
Angela McClain of Lockport said she was driving north on Transit and passed the scene before fire crews arrived.
“I said, ‘Oh, God, it looks like a fire up there!’ ” McClain said. “The place was flying.”
McClain said she has family visiting from Hawaii, and they had planned to eat at Alexander’s before they left town.
She said it took over 10 minutes for fire crews to arrive.
Locicero said fire crews would likely remain on the scene throughout the day Friday to make sure the hot spots were completely out.
Once it was deemed safe, fire investigators reportedly escorted Pozantidis inside the building to retrieve money and business papers from the office area.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. A press release from the sheriff’s department indicated the fire was contained to the kichen area, and damage was estimated at $150,000.
Alexander’s has been open for two years. The restaurant, which specializes in Greek food, was a part of this year’s Taste of Lockport event and advertised after-concert specials during the Molson Canal Concert Series.
Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.
Local News
Related Photos
-
STEPHEN WALLACE/CONTRIBUTOR
TOWN OF LOCKPORT: Fire strikes Alexander's Family Restaurant
- Local News
-
-
WIlson jumps on the 'bin wagon'
Modern Recycling’s upgraded plan has received a warm response some town residents.
The town plans to go from 14-gallon open bins to 65-gallon carts with lids in April. Modern representatives explained the project, put the recycling truck in action and showed of three 32-pound blue and green carts that can withstand 43 mph winds.
The display carts had transparent sides in order to let the residents know the variety of materials that can be recycled. -
Reform agenda touted
Empire State Development Corporation executive Sam Hoyt visited Lockport on Wednesday to tout Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s state budget and government reform plans.
Changing the way the state does business will bring fiscal relief to counties, cities and towns, eventually, Hoyt suggested.
It’s too bad the reforms won’t kick in before municipalities like the City of Lockport begin confronting fiscal crises, Mayor Michael Tucker said in response. -
Tucker: 'Best days lie ahead'
The City of Lockport government is smaller than it was 18 months ago but is in a stronger financial place, Mayor Michael W. Tucker said in his annual State of the City address.
-
Trio of new classes proposed for Newfane
Newfane High School could have three new business courses in the fall, one of which would center on video game design.
-
Municipalities take wait-and-see approach on SPCA funding
The City and Town of Lockport are each withholding payments to the Niagara SPCA, while other Eastern Niagara County towns are taking a wait-and-see approach.
-
Rocky II
Friends of Deputy Craig Beiter of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department plan a benefit on Feb. 26 to raise money to buy and train a new dog for the K-9 Unit.
Beiter’s German shepherd, Deputy Rocky, was killed while on duty in December, and the sheriff’s department is close to getting a replacement. -
Basket Factory closes
The Basket Factory has gone out of business.
The owners, Julie Thompson Riegle and Dawn Thompson, made the difficult decision last Monday and put the sign on the door Tuesday. -
No snow is no problem
Unseasonably warm weather didn’t keep Roy-Hart Winterfest from being a fun day for the families who came out to Roy-Hart Elementary School on Saturday.
More than 500 people attended the third annual festivities, which Gasport Lions Club officials said was a big increase from last year. The halls of Roy-Hart Elementary were filled with vendors, programs and movement as excited children rushed from one activity to another. -
Shovel-ready park has perks
At first glance, the big, orange road sign announcing vacant property on Lockport Road as a “shovel ready certified” building site seems a bit gratuitous.
To companies looking for new places to launch a business, it’s not. The sign in their eyes is a welcome mat, for in three words a community pronounced itself ready, willing and able to make a deal quickly. -
Roy-Hart to play the big stage
A group of local students will be performing this month at Kleinhans Music Hall just before a BPO concert.
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will welcome the Royalton-Hartland High School Mixed Chorus as part of the BPO’s Community Spotlight program on Feb. 19 at Kleinhans in Buffalo. The chorus will perform under the direction of Carolyn Unitas Roos and accompanied by Janice McKinney. - More Local News Headlines
-
WIlson jumps on the 'bin wagon'
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
