An early morning fire in downtown Pine Bluff has left one business destroyed and a few others with smoke and fire damage. Fire crews were called YNOT Charlie’s at 124 South Main Street just after 6:20 Tuesday morning.
Firefighters worked for at least three hours to put the fire out.
"A lot of smoke. A lot of flames going through the roof. Anytime you have a building of this nature, you have potential for a lot of trapped smoke so we had a lot of smoke to deal with,” said Lt. Shauwn Howell with Pine Bluff Fire Department.
Thirty firefighters worked extensively to battle the flames.
"We had a decision to make, that we're maybe not going to save this particular building. We've got to start thinking about the next building," Howell said.
Pine Bluff Title is one of the three adjacent buildings. They're dealing with water damage.
"It's water throughout the whole hallway,” Lisa Williams said.
There is major smoke damage. "All we did is move books and furniture and files [today]. We're relocating tomorrow," she said. Eventually they will have a place to return but YNOT Charlie's is a loss.
Lt. Howell said they do not expect anything suspicious at this time.
Early indications show the fire may have started in the kitchen. A cause of the fire is under investigation. YNOT Charlie's was not only a popular restaurant, it was also a special events center used for parties and receptions.
