-- A fire ravaged through Johnny Gargano's family restaurant in Cleveland, OH on Sunday night, destroying it and four other businesses in the building none of which were salvageable. Fortunately however, there were no fatalities or serious injuries due to the massive blaze, however, one firefighter was did suffer a back injury.
-- The restaurant, Gargano’s Restaurant & Catering, was owned and operated by Johnny's father Frank for a claimed 52 years. Firefighters were initially able to get the fire under control but then a water main break led to a depleted water supply and re-ignited the fire. As personnel battled the blaze for more than three hours, the roof of Gargano's restaurant eventually collapsed and the entire building was lost.
-- Gargano released the following statement on the matter:
"I figured I should touch on this because people are finding out, and I know a lot of wrestling fans were looking forward to going to my Dad’s restaurant when they were in Cleveland for Summerslam. Last night, there was a fire, and my Dad’s restaurant was badly damaged,” Gargano wrote. “I’m grateful that my Dad was not there and is okay. He is 82 years old, this is his life’s work. He has worked in that building every day for almost 50 years. I basically grew up there.. and now it’s just gone. It is extremely heartbreaking for my family."
UPDATE on W.25th: water main break forced companies to relay water from distant hydrants. Fire resumed, the roof collapsed, parapets fell. Companies were able to protect exposures, including a gas station, but the fire building was lost. One firefighter suffered minor injury. pic.twitter.com/mWkpgIjJSG
— ClevelandFire (@ClevelandFire) July 22, 2024
