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Firefighters are still working to put out a massive structure fire that erupted early Saturday morning.

The fire started in the historic Bell building at East Commerce and Main Street around 4:30 a.m. and then spread to a neighboring high rise.

More than 50 units were deployed to put out the fire.

The Bell building was constructed in the 1800’s and formerly housed the Bell Furniture Company. Prominent architect Alfred Giles designed the building. It was transformed into a wedding venue and restaurant.

Paul Carter and Marline Carter-Lawson, the building’s owners, said its destruction is a major loss for San Antonio.

“It’s a very sad day for San Antonio,” said Carter-Lawson. “The Alfred Giles buildings were treasures for the city.”

No one was injured in the blaze.

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Historical-fire-2197896.php#ixzz1ZXSeDuvn

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MySanAntonio.com



The Bell Building is the two story white stone structure in the background. The entire block went up in flames.


[This message has been edited by p_bubel (edited 10/1/2011 9:19a).]

any word on what cause the blaze?

None that I've read yet.





I kinda wanted to open a Brewpub in this building.

poblanos!

Wasn't there a Bill Miller's there years ago?

This fire could have been a LOT worse. The hi-rise next door was the old San Antonio Savings HQ years ago.

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Though the cause of the fire had not been determined, George Woodard, general manager of the barbecue restaurant, said officials told him they suspected the fire started at his restaurant.

“They're saying we” started it, Woodard said. “That's what their thought process is.”

Carter said restaurant staffers were cooking until about 3 a.m.

Standing nearby frazzled as the ruins of the building still smoked, Woodard said his new restaurant had just received its first health inspection Friday, picking up a passing score of 97.

The cooking early Saturday was in preparation for catering jobs later in the day, and Woodard said his night manager said they shut down the same as always.

“It was going to be a big day for us, but not anymore,” Woodard said. “That's my livelihood over there in a pile.”

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I kinda wanted to open a Brewpub in this building.

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You are to busy with your current job...

Bill Miller's is across Main Street. There was a BBQ place (Meat Market BBQ) in the building. IT had been there about 6 months, IIRC. The FD suspects the fire may have started there because the cooks came in about the time the fire started.

Their BBQ was average IMO. Not that it matters anymore.

I kinda liked Meat Market BBQ. It was a good lunch option close to work.

[This message has been edited by littlemisst08 (edited 10/2/2011 4:27p).]

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You are to busy with your current job...

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Their BBQ was average IMO. Not that it matters anymore.

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Sadly enough that was the first thing i wondered when i read that article.

I wasn't crazy about the barbecue place. Too much smoke...