Fire destroys Mandeville fried chicken restaurant one month after opening

A Mandeville businessman is assessing heavy losses after fire destroyed his newly opened restaurant on Ward Avenue in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The blaze, which is believed to have begun at a bar next door to Newsman Fried Chicken, also destroyed that adjoining business. The restaurant had been operating for only one month before the fire.

Adika Miller, owner of Newsman Fried Chicken, said he was alerted shortly before dawn that flames were coming from the neighbouring bar. He said he received the call at about 4:25 a.m. and went to the location, where he first saw that the bar had already been destroyed.

Miller said the damage to his restaurant initially appeared to be limited when viewed from outside. However, after checking more closely, he realised the interior had been gutted.

He said he had lost everything in the fire and is now considering what to do next. Miller estimated his losses at about $10 million.

Firefighters have placed the combined damage to both businesses at approximately $20 million.