Greenfield Mexican restaurant burns

GREENFIELD, Ind. (WISH) - The El Rodeo restaurant in Greenfield is a total loss after a fire swept through the building Monday evening.

High reaching flames, pitch black smoke, and an explosion:nearby business owners had a hard time believing what was happening to the El Rodeo Restaurant in Greenfield.

"I looked out the window and I saw this restaurant completely on fire, like it started going through the roof," said nearby businessman, Shoeb Fasih.

The fire was already ripping through the roof when firefighters arrived. It was a very fast start, according to the fire chief. "The roof was involved when we first showed up on the scene. Within about 10 to 15 minutes the roof fell through and the inside of the building was fully involved at that time," said Greenfield Fire Chief, James Roberts.

Everyone inside the restaurant got out by the time crews arrived, but once they were out nobody, not even firefighters, could get back in.

"We have been unable to make entry. It was too much involved. We went defensive initially on the fire," said Roberts.

About two weeks ago, firefighters were called to the same restaurant for a small fire involving a water heater.

But there was nothing small about this blaze, making for a long night for investigators.

"Get inside, start overhauling it and then look for the cause of the fire. So we're going to be here for quite awhile," said Roberts.

It's a huge loss, but nearby business owners are counting their blessings. Just feet from the restaurant sits a gas station which could have meant disaster if the fire spread.