Fire destroys popular Sanford restaurant
SANFORD, NC (WTVD) -- Just mention the Fairview Dairy Bar in Sanford and people will start naming their favorite meal there, or tell you about the first time they went for ice cream there as a young child.
But now, Fairview is no more, at least temporarily. The decades old restaurant and ice cream shop in the 100 block of Carbonton Road in downtown Sanford caught fire just after 3:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Fire officials say the fire alarm went off about half an hour before employees were set to arrive to start cooking and setting up. When firefighters arrived, flames were already shooting from the building.
From the looks of it, the inside of the restaurant is destroyed.
"It was sad. I woke up this morning and when I saw it, I woke up my sister out of her sleep and I said, 'The Fairview Dairy Bar is burned down' and she was like, 'You're playing,'" said longtime customer Iesha Hunt. "It's been here a long time. It was a very popular place. I used to come when we used to eat at the church and get some bacon cheese fries. It's really good," Hunt said.
According to food blog roadfood.com, Fairview first opened its doors in 1954. It was a diner with a 50s vibe, a glimpse back in time.
The newest owners spent Tuesday morning making calls and looking on helplessly as firefighters investigated inside the building. Many customers and employees gathered in the parking lot to share a hug, squeeze hands, or even shed a tear over a restaurant where memories were made.
"We used to have one heck of a time," said military veteran Robert "Peanuts" Myers. He says he would come and eat breakfast almost every morning with his son and two grandsons, and even enjoyed free breakfasts from time to time because of his service.
The owners said they needed "a little more time" before they could talk about what happened.
Many customers shook their heads, looking at the burnt metal frames that once held the red and white striped awning. They're hoping the owners will rebuild.
"It's just terrible. I mean, that's going to be a place we're going to miss. All of us are going to miss it," said customer Dan Parker.
Fire officials are still investigating the cause. They say because of the monetary loss, they've called in the State Bureau of Investigations to assist, though they say that is not an indication the fire is suspicious.
