WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
A little after 9 p.m. Monday night, Gainesville Fire Rescue arrived at Satchel’s Pizza in Gainesville.
The building was on fire. Callers had reported seeing flames from as far away as Waldo Road. The fire was contained in the rear part of the building in a gift shop known as Lightnin’ Salvage, and firefighters kept the flames from spreading into the front restaurant. No one was injured.
The fire was under control within 10 minutes, but GFR said Lightnin’ Salvage is a total loss.
Fire rescue is still investigating what started the blaze.
Satchel’s Pizza also caught fire and was nearly destroyed in early 2012, but it reopened later that year with the help of a fundraiser.
Satchel's plans on staying closed due to safety hazards tomorrow, according to owner. @WUFTNews @smartin_news
— Leah Shields (@ShieldsLeah) December 6, 2016
Witness snapped photo of fire burning gift shop, outdoor seating of #SatchelsPizza. No injuries. Fire under investigation. @MelissaGomez004 pic.twitter.com/sapjB1Grca
— Martin Vassolo (@martindvassolo) December 6, 2016
Satchel Raye, the owner, began tweeting thoughts and images around 10 p.m. and continued into the early morning.
#RememberTheLightnin' pic.twitter.com/PYafwu82U6
— satch (@satchelspizza) December 6, 2016
Oh we will rebuild it
Not gone just changin'
I'll miss that booth though https://t.co/AfrPnL8akU— satch (@satchelspizza) December 6, 2016
1. It's gonna be ok
No one hurt as we are closed Mondays
Gift shop junk museum lounge all gone but restaurant untouched
Will reopen soon— satch (@satchelspizza) December 6, 2016
2. Firefighters amazing
Hardest working people on planet
Not sure cause
Need time to process pic.twitter.com/fhzlniDf01— satch (@satchelspizza) December 6, 2016
3. Thank you all for caring and posting
Means a lot to me
We will build a new gift shop thingymibobber place
For live music and good times— satch (@satchelspizza) December 6, 2016
We will have to save the sign
Hardly touched pic.twitter.com/8gkuTVgtMe— satch (@satchelspizza) December 6, 2016
Whoa pic.twitter.com/nOMc3NumXm
— satch (@satchelspizza) December 6, 2016
Here are more WUFT News tweets from the scene.
It looks like 4 fire trucks and at least one ambulance are on scene. Portions of 23rd Ave are blocked off. @WUFTNews pic.twitter.com/8DtuodqLwp
— Sara Girard (@SaraGirardNews) December 6, 2016
Firefighters are re-entering the building with their hoses. @WUFTNews pic.twitter.com/8U7jG9RfEI
— Sara Girard (@SaraGirardNews) December 6, 2016
Gainesville Fire says no one was injured. The building was empty when the fire broke out. @WUFTNews
— Sara Girard (@SaraGirardNews) December 6, 2016
Crews will be investigating the cause of the fire, and Gainesville Fire says they have not ruled out arson as a possibility. @WUFTNews pic.twitter.com/Lq5azBdW60
— Sara Girard (@SaraGirardNews) December 6, 2016
Deputy Fire Chief Joann Rice updating the media on the fire that broke out behind Satchel's Pizza. @WUFTNews pic.twitter.com/rLPNGjnYSh
— Sara Girard (@SaraGirardNews) December 6, 2016
Much of the damage was inside Lightning Salvage, the museum behind the restaurant. @GFR1882 says propane tanks were nearby but unaffected.
— Sara Girard (@SaraGirardNews) December 6, 2016
