SPOKANE -- A massive fire broke out in a popular Spokane restaurant Sunday night, and quickly affected nearby businesses, as well.
Firefighters were called to Garland and Post at 8:42 p.m. for reports of a fire in The Milk Bottle. Crews arrived to find the restaurant along with Ferguson’s Café in flames.
Firefighters said the fire spread quickly, and both buildings were engulfed by the time they reached the scene. They also found that they had an active gas line to deal with, which made fighting the fire difficult.
The fire was under control by 10:40 p.m. In all in took 50 firefighters to battle the fire.
Owner of Ferguson’s Dave Jones recently finished a renovation of his restaurant, but now says his business it a total loss. Jones said he also feels concerned about his employees who are now without jobs.
Several area residents stood outside as crews fought the flames, and many expressed their disbelief.
“It’s kind of a sense of sadness and loss. It’s just as much our home as anything else. We go there for lunch, they deliver it to us when we shoot pool. It’s a tragedy. It’s really sad,” Lisa Byrd, a frequent customer of The Milk Bottle, said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Milk Bottle is a Spokane Icon. It was built in 1932 and made the national spotlight during the 1993 Movie, Benny and Joon. Scenes from that movie were also shot inside Ferguson's Cafe.
