SAN ANTONIO --
Fire caused $100,000 damage to a popular Mexican restaurant south of downtown early Friday.
Fire officials said that it appeared the fire started in the kitchen area of the Piedras Negras de Noche restaurant in the 1300 block of Laredo Street.
"It's possible that they had some food still cooking," said Capt. Neal Ague, a district chief with the San Antonio Fire Department.
When firefighters arrived at 3 a.m., they found smoke shooting and heavy smoke pouring out from the third floor of the eatery. It took 45 minutes to put out the massive blaze.
At one point, firefighters had to hold back the restaurant owner, who was overcome with emotion as he watched a lifetime of hard work go up in flames.
The owner's son, John Rodriguez, said that the family plans to rebuild.
"We do have insurance," he said.
A cafe next door to the restaurant that belongs to the Rodriguez family was not damaged and was open for business.
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