Gonzalez Restaurant, one of Pleasant Grove’s iconic restaurants, reopened this weekend following a fire that affected portions of the property.
On Tuesday, July 11, at 6:53 p.m., firefighters from Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to a 911 call for a structure fire at Gonzalez Restaurant, located at 8121 Bruton Road, at the corner of Buckner Boulevard, reported Al Día.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, they observed smoke coming from the roof of the single-story building.
The fire only damaged the exterior wall of the facility, and although the restaurant was closed for a few days, it reopened July 16. The restaurant has been operating in Dallas since 1973.
The fire started in a makeshift structure used by a homeless man, which was attached to the back of the restaurant, said Jason Evans, spokesman for Dallas Fire-Rescue.
“While it only caused smoke inside and thermal damage to the restaurant’s back exterior, the embers spread to three Dumpsters at an adjacent location located on Buckner Boulevard,” Evans said.
Investigators determined the fire was accidental after reviewing evidence and speaking with witnesses, business owners, and firefighters who extinguished the blaze.
“The fire was accidental in nature and likely the result of an electrical malfunction from the improper use of a power source to operate essential items (a fan and a device used for cooking) inside the makeshift structure,” Evans said in a statement.
The fire was extinguished at 7:28 p.m., and no injuries were reported.
Several social media users captured the moment of the fire. Videos show the intensity of the flames and the extent of the fire up to the roof of the restaurant.
Gonzalez Restaurant is located at 8121 Bruton Rd., in Dallas or at gonzalezrestaurant.com.
