SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -
Several stores are hoping to reopen after an early morning fire caused major smoke damage.
It happened Friday around 5 a.m at the intersection of 35th and Montgomery Streets in Savannah.
After waiting nearly 2 hours in the rain, Malcolm Allen got word from firefighters that his businesses would have to close.
"this is our livelihood," said Allen. "We serve the community and put out a good product. This will be a loss for a temporary time."
Allen owns the property that houses David's Crab House, the TP Supermarket and the Sunshine Video Store, which caught on fire early Friday morning.
Firefighters initially thought the fire started in David's Crab House but after they got inside the restaurant they soon found out the fire started in the video store. The smoke was so significant it caused major damage throughout the strip mall, which may cause the business's to close down for some time.
"Pretty extensive smoke damage," said Savannah Fire Captain Elzie Kitchens. "We did cut a hole in the roof for ventilation. We had to force some doors open, so they will have to secure that. They won't be able to occupy the business anytime soon. They will be able to access their damage soon."
"The main thing we are going do now is have some of our competitors, who are very good friends of ours, will move some of our items to their stores, until we are able to get ourselves back into business," said Allen
David's Crab House opened nearly 10 years ago.
"My wife started it in 1992. It's a recipe she brought from Korea," said Allen. "It has been a staple in this area since then."
Allen hopes it won't be long until his wife can reopen her kitchen.
"They contained the fire, so it shouldn't be that much of a hassle to get the Crab House back up and we will work on the super market."
There is still no word on how that fire started.
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