HERTFORD, N.C. (WAVY) — A fire engulfed Captain Bob’s Barbeque & Seafood in Hertford Thursday afternoon, a fire official said.
Shortly after 5:30 p.m., the Hertford Fire Department received a report in reference to a fire at the iconic Hertford restaurant, located at 310 Ocean Hwy. S., off Route 17, according to Hertford Fire Chief Drew Woodard.
A Perquimans County sheriff’s deputy and a volunteer firefighter were the first to arrive at the restaurant, according to Perquimans County Emergency Services, and the two found a detached building used for cooking barbeque that was also fully engulfed in flames.
Due to the proximity of the nearby restaurant that was open, customers and staff were evacuated, but the fire spread into the main restaurant before the fire department arrived, resulting in significant smoke and fire damage throughout the building.
The restaurant was open at the time of the fire, but everyone there was able to safely evacuate.
Video shared with WAVY by Veronica Downing showed flames and thick smoke coming from the restaurant, and some people standing outside of it. She reported seeing the smokehouse on fire at the time.
Nearly 70 first responders fought the blaze and worked to keep people safe, with the response lasting more than four hours, which including battling the fire and then checking to make sure the fire had been put out.
There were no reports of injuries to anybody at the restaurant or to firefighters, but Perquimans County EMS provided rehabilitation services at the scene for first responders.
Responding agencies included the Hertford, Winfall, Bethel and Inter-County fire departments, along with the Perquimans County Sheriff’s Office, Perquimans County EMS, Perquimans County Emergency Management and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The town of Hertford Public Works also responded to the scene, and the Belvidere Fire Department provided standby coverage for the Winfall Fire District while other firefighters were at the scene.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
