Firefighters battle blaze at Raleigh restaurant
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Firefighters battled a large blaze at Sushi 9 restaurant on Western Blvd in Raleigh Friday morning.
The outbound lanes of Western Blvd were closed in the 3800 block near Gorman Street while they tackled the fire. The road has reopened.
Smoke could be seen pouring from the roof of the building. Firefighters were dropping water from a ladder truck to bring the flames under control.
Raleigh Fire Battalion Chief Kevin Coppage said it took 60 firefighters about an hour and a half to put out the blaze.
"There's focus on the roof area for the safety of our firefighters," Coppage said. "The way the construction is designed, the way the wood when there's fire impinging on the wood, that creates a hazard for our firefighters."
Officials said the building suffered heavy damage. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
There were no reports of injuries. However, restaurant employees are now without a job.
"I have no job but the bills are still gonna come in, so I have no choice but to go out and find another job," said employee Luis Fuentes. "It's a tragedy man. I hate that it happened. This is a really great restaurant, a really great environment, great people. The owner is amazing."
Coppage said it will take a long time for the restaurant to open back up, but no exact time frame was given.
