Fire Destroys Bar At Tulsa Strip Mall

Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire that damaged a Tulsa strip mall early Sunday.

The Tulsa Fire Department was called to the fire in the 1600 block of South Memorial at around 5 a.m.  

Firefighters believe the fire started in Buchanan's Bar. When they arrived flames were coming from the roof of the strip mall.  District Chief Bob Stern says firefighters contained the bar fire, but just about every business next to it was affected by the fire.

"The crews were able to get a pretty quick knockdown on the fire and we were able to keep it going from either side and to the other businesses. We've got smoke damage throughout the entire strip mall," said District Fire Chief Bob Stern.

White's Laundromat next store reopened once it was safe for customers to enter.  Firefighters spent several hours at the scene making sure the fire didn't reignite.  

Alex Chavez' brother owns the fire damaged bar.

"We wait for the investigation you know?" said Alex Chavez.  

He says his brother is devastated about what happened to his business.  

"I sent him a message, but he's crying you know?" said Alex Chavez.  

He said his brother plans to rebuild.  

"We'll open again you know? We'll try--or my brother will try because he likes it," said Alex Chavez.  

No one was injured fighting the fire.