Long John Silver’s on Tates Creek Road is damaged in fire

March 16--The inside of a Long John Silver's restaurant on Tates Creek Road was moderately damaged in a fire Wednesday morning, according to a Lexington fire official.

The fire started in and burned the attic and trusses, said Battalion Chief Mike Harvey. Burned trusses must be evaluated for the potential of collapse.

"We have to be very diligent about constantly monitoring the structural integrity of a building like this," Harvey said.

Harvey said crews had to cut a hole in the roof and tear down a drop ceiling to track the spread of the fire.

The restaurant would likely not open for "several days to several weeks" because of the damage, Harvey said. He said an insurance company may find that renovation and repair would cost more than building a new franchise on that location.

Fire struck the same location and restaurant several years ago and the building was rebuilt, Harvey said.

As is standard practice, fire investigators and health department inspectors will assess the building, Harvey said.

Franchise owner Jay Shoffner said the store was one of 13 Long John Silver's he owns. Shoffner said the store's 27 employees would be moved to different locations. The store wasn't open when the fire occurred, and no one was injured.

Shoffner said he would be "taking cues" from the insurance company on how to proceed with the building.

If the building has to be razed, a new Long John Silver's would be built at the same location, he said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Michael McKay: 859-231-1324, @hlpublicsafety

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