Fire Department Saves Mojo's Restaurant

The San Angelo Angelo Fire Department rushed to Mojo’s Restaurant, 2102 Howard St., just after 11 a.m. today fearing reports that a propane tank in the back of the building was on fire and about to explode.

The restaurant was immediately evacuated as the 911 call was being made. The firefighters arrived shortly thereafter and everyone was clear of the building. One firefighter went inside the back door of the restaurant, found the tank and extinguished the flames. The tank, the size of which you would attach to a household barbeque grill, was then carried outside and doused with foam.

No injuries were reported. We have not received the official statement from the investigation now ongoing. This story will be updated when we do.

Update 12:11 p.m.

The investigation is complete, and here is what authorities found. The restaurateur had taken an LP gas tank and burner inside and into the kitchen to test it for leaks. There actually was a leak and the hose attached to the tank caught fire. “You’re not supposed to have LP gas tanks inside commercial buildings,” Fire Investigator Thomas Truett said. He issued a municipal court summons to the restaurant owner.

Truett said that there were no injuries. The damage is confined to the kitchen area, mostly comprised of paint scorches on the walls.

Truett said that the restaurant may re-open today as long as safe serve requirements of the State of Texas are observed.

John Lloyd, owner, praised the fire department. “They just did an amazing job of saving us!”

“I am so relieved. When I saw this, I was like ‘No!’…” he said. “We’ve been pretty busy, especially with serving Thai food, you know.

“We’re doing a quick cleanup right now. It’s very limited damage. They [the fire department] were quick. And we had fire extinguishers too. The firefighters were able to help with getting it out of here before it spread to the other kitchen equipment. And made sure that tank was fully extinguished.”

On the violation, he said, “We’re learning. It won’t happen again!”

Mojo’s will be open for business later today.

Update 12:37 p.m.

Mojo's is scheduled to re-open in the next 30 minutes. Lloyd said the damage was very minimal, including a few soot-covered ceiling tiles, some melted bowls and a layer of black on the walk-in door. 

He said he had gone out to buy some tomatoes and pork, and upon returning, saw the fire department and police in front of his restaurant.

"I saw them there and was like, 'Noooooooooooooo," he said.

A green plastic bowl has melted into another plastic bowl it was covering with onions inside. Lloyd has become rather fond of it, stating, 'It's almost like a piece of art now."