WALLED LAKE, Mich. – Firefighters in Walled Lake were putting out hot spots Tuesday morning at Pepino's Restaurant and Lounge, which went up in flames Monday afternoon and burned through the evening.
A spokesman for the Walled Lake Fire Department said rubber coating on the building's roof has proved problematic. The department has not been able to enter the burned structure to investigate what may have caused this fire at the restaurant on Walled Lake Drive at Pontiac Trail.
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Walled Lake Police Chief Paul Shakinas said the calls started coming in right before 3 p.m. Monday for a commercial building fire.
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"When officers first responded there were already flames through the roof and coming out the windows. It was fully engulfed," said Shakinas.
The restaurant has been family-owned for more than 30 years.
"It means the world to our family. We've been here for 31 years," said owner Carol Bernardi. "Our parents started it. Many of our siblings worked in it, our children and grandchildren. We're devastated."
No injuries were reported. The restaurant was closed at the time the fire started.