CHARLOTTE — Firefighters responded to a 2-alarm fire Friday afternoon at Mimi’s Café at 10224 Perimeter Parkway near Northlake Mall in Charlotte.
[ Chopper 9 photos: 2-alarm fire at Mimi's Cafe. ]
The accidental fire was caused by a cigarette discarded in mulch, Charlotte Fire Department officials said.
The estimated damage was $250,000.
The café will not reopen and there are negotiations to open a La Madeleine French Bakery in its spot.
It took about one hour to control the fire and no injuries were reported, Charlotte Fire Department officials said.
There were 50 people inside the restaurant when smoke started to come from the bathroom.
“The servers and the hostess and the employees, we were concerned about getting out because we knew how extreme it was about to get, but the guests, they just stayed calm, and continued to sit down. They didn't know how extreme the conditions were inside," employee Shavonne Placide said.
The owner of Mimi's said in a statement Friday:
"We are grateful that no guests or associates were injured in the fire at our Charlotte cafe this afternoon.
We are working closely with the fire department to determine the cause and extent of damage, but at this point it's too early to make that determination.
Our first priority is our associates and beginning the process of making repairs and reopening. We will provide updates when more information becomes available."
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