Historic brewery building destroyed
, Daily News Staff
11-06-2009
The historic Lexington Brewery Building that has housed Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant for the last several years was destroyed in an early-morning fire this Thursday.According to Lafayette County Sheriff's Department spokesman, Lt. Randy Florence, the first call came in around 6:15 a.m.
"It's sad to see the old historic building going up in flames," he said.
Lexington resident Sue Golden, who lives two blocks from Las Carretas, said she heard a loud explosion and went outside to investigate, fearing it might have been a neighbor's house. She then said there were several smaller explosions, and could hear the power lines popping. She said until the fire was somewhat contained the gas company wasn't allowed to get close enough to shut off the gas. The explosions also blew shingles off a house nearby, and buckled its siding.
It was unknown at the time of the fire whether anyone was in the building. Onlookers said the fire appeared to have begun in the east section of the restaurant.
The building, built between 1900 and 1910, is owned by Lexington attorney Robert Langdon and his wife Margie.
Fire Departments from Higginsville, Richmond, Wellington, Sni Valley (Odessa) and Fort Osage were called to assist Lexington Fire and Rescue to battle the blaze. Richmond firefighters Rob Kinnard, Josh Anderson, Zeb Williams and Marc Stigall arrived to assist in fighting the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown at presstime and is under investigation.
Photo: Lexington Fire and Rescue, along with five other fire departments including Richmond, spray water on the early-morning blaze that engulfed Las Carretas Mexican restaurant, Franklin St. in Lexington this morning. (Photo by Liz Johnson/The Daily News)
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