Just after 6:30 p.m. The Woodlands Fire Department responded to a kitchen fire at the Goose’s Acre restaurant at 21 Water Way in The Woodlands. The security guard that alerted to the fire said he saw a lot of smoke coming off the roof of America’s Restaurant which adjoins Goose’s Acre.
Fire fighters at first thought it was just smoke in the vent system but as soon as the air handlers were switched back on they spotted active flames inside the duct work of the exhaust system. A second alarm was called bringing South Montgomery County, and Needham Fire Departments with River Plantation backing into Needham’s station to assist in covering the district.
Once firefighters were able to get the roof vent off they discovered there was still fire. In addition in the attic area of the two businesses a natural gas line became breached and ignited. Crews were able to extinguish it after a short time.
David Parker with The Woodlands Fire Department stated the only two injuries were smoke exhaustion and another firefighter who injured his ankle after a hose coupling ruptured. The did not require transport.
The operations manager of America’s Restaurant said he had been across town when news broke on a Houston television and he drove to the Woodlands. He still waited with some of his sixty-five employees to assess the damage which is said to be some smoke and water damage.
The manager of Goose’s Acre said most of their damage was on the waterway level but they would need to asses the damage also before reopening.
The Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene to start their investigation. Also the Montgomery County Health Department was notified since foodstuffs were involved and could have possibly been contaminated.
Many people wandered the streets looking at the fire trucks and there strobe lights matching the streets Christmas decorations.
There was no word on how long the businesses would be closed for clean up. As one America’s manager said this is the worst time of the year with the busy holiday season virtually days away.
