Massive Blaze Destroys Charlie’s BBQ

Early this morning, a massive fire ripped through Charlie’s BBQ in Houston.

According to KPRC Houston, between 50 and 60 firefighters were dispatched to the restaurant at 8220 Airline Drive at around 5:30 this morning, only to find that high winds in the area had intensified the blaze. Don Gilkey, deputy chief of the Little York Fire Department, described the building as a “total loss.”

Charlie’s has been a fixture of the Houston barbecue scene since it opened in 1979, known for its beef jerky and St. Louis-style ribs. The owners of the restaurant have not yet issued a statement on the fire, so it is unclear at this time whether or not they have plans to rebuild their pits and start smoking again any time soon.

Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire, and Harris County Fire Marshals are currently investigating its cause. Scope out video of firefighters battling the blaze below.

• Firefighters battle massive fire at Charlie's BBQ in north Harris County [KPRC]