USVI-On-Line

It looks very bad. I left a message with Kim and Trent of Joe's Diner. Very thick smoke; the Fire Department is on the scene.

Kevin

This is heartbreaking. The staff is so wonderful there. I hope everyone is safe.

Oh no..hope that everyone is safe and that it is contained to one just one building. Often thought about the dry conditions when I was there. ( my hubby is a fireman, I can't help myself ) .

3:45 PM, and the fire is under control, with only a little smoke left. The structure is masonry, but the intense dark smoke billowing out from the eves had me concerned that they would lose the roof. That no longer seems likely, although it may still have to be replaced. Cafe Roma will be out of action for some time, and there is no telling how much damage the water has done to Joe's Diner. But is could certainly have been worse.

Kevin

Doesn't look good. Hope everyone is ok.

Seems as though they had it under control when we were coming back down the North Shore Road around 3:45. What a shame that they will be out of commission but the slow season is approaching. Hopefully they are well insured and will be able to take this opportunity to update and come back better than ever. So glad no one was hurt.

Glad they got it under control, but sad because it is a regular stop for us ...but probably not this June. A tough break for Joe's, because the water damage might be as bad or worse than the fire. Best of luck to both.

Agent99, get your ass over to Lucy's.

From a Facebook post last night by John Hiebert:

"HUGE FIRE AT CAFE ROMA!!!! Thank God no one was hurt. Not sure where to start....... Social Media has put Cafe Roma out there so quickly.......... I appreciate that concern. But, let ME tell you what actually happened.
The restaurant closed last night at 10:30 pm..... same as always... Today at about 1:30 pm smoke was seen billowing out of the restaurant. Local business owners and staff jumped into action. (Castaways, Woodys) The fire Dept, Police, St John Rescue, and all that responded did a great job.... However, the restaurant didn't make it. Thank God that Woody's, La Tapa, and Quiet Mon, Bayside were not touched by the fire. Sorry that you had to close because they shut off all power in the area........ ( I am truely sorry that you had to close for the evening..... but I am so touched that you were all on your roofs with hoses trying to control the fire.) I live on St Thomas, and had to wait for the next ferry (1 hour after we heard the news)--just to see what was going on.... I could see smoke billowing over St John the entire ride ....... That was quite sickening for Michelle and I, because we knew that it was our restaurant BURNING!!... When we reached the St John dock, Michelle and I were so touched by all the people greeting us at the ferry, tears in their eyes.... The St John community is sooooo very very special. You have turned out in support and prayers for us... THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! We are so very blessed by the friends and support from everyone. WE WILL REBUILD!!!!! ROMA WILL RETURN...."

Hey Dewey! We've been a couple of times already and must have missed you. I didn't know that you were there. We recognized our waiter from Island Blues. I bet you told me you were at Lucy's and I forgot. Are you working today?