Hinze's barbecue in Wharton County goes up in smoke
WHARTON COUNTY (KTRK) -- A popular Wharton County barbecue joint is facing a clean up after a big fire moved through the restaurant.
The fire started during dinner time with a dining room full of customers and continued burning for more than two hours. Everyone got out OK.
Wharton Fire Department Asst. Chief Hector Hernandez says the building might be a total loss.
"The first arriving units on scene say they saw some heavy fire. The first arriving units went into offensive attack, attempted to extinguish the fire," Hernandez said. "We had a water supply issue, crews got pulled out and we went defensive."
Authorities say they believe the fire started in the barbecue pit area. There was major damage to kitchen, and lot of water and smoke damage to dining hall.
However, it's still unclear why or how the fire started. The owner says they will rebuild.
The state fire marshal's office will be out there Tuesday to investigate further.
