State fire investigators are working to determine the cause of an early morning blaze that destroyed a popular restaurant in Clayton.
Most of Mama G’s Italian Restaurant on Highway 441 burned to the ground Monday. Rabun County Fire Chief Daniel Johnson says the fire was called in at 7:52 a.m. He says when firefighters arrived the “whole roof” was on fire. Johnson describes “about twenty-foot flames” shooting into the air.
The restaurant’s owners and many employees stood by, some still in their pajamas, and watched in disbelief as firefighters tried to save the building.When the smoke cleared, only the brick portion of the restaurant remained but it was completely gutted.
Firefighters from four companies responded to the scene. Johnson says there was no immediate indication as to what caused the blaze. The State Fire Marshall’s Office was called in to investigate.
Traffic along Highway 441 south of Clayton was stalled during the morning rush hour due to heavy smoke, flames and emergency vehicles. The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert shortly after 9am, telling drivers to avoid the area for several hours.
In a special statement issued to the community through Now Habersham, Mama G’s co-owner Krystyna Gaglio says she would like to thank everyone for all their love and support and their prayers. Gaglio, who co-owns the restaurant with her son Paul, says she’s very grateful that the restaurant was closed and that no one was there and that no one was hurt.
READ: Mama G “Devastated” by Fire; Plans to Rebuild
Fire at Mama G’s
October 19, 2015
Clayton, GA
Click photos to enlarge
Updated October 19, 2015@6pm
