COVINGTON, La. – A large fire destroyed a popular Chinese restaurant on the Northshore Monday just before noon.
The fire at the South China restaurant on Highway 190 broke out about 11 a.m. Fire department officials believe it may have started in the attic.
At its height, the blaze was being fought by 75 firefighters and 25 vehicles from several agencies on the Northshore. Traffic headed north on Highway 190 was slowed considerably.
Fire District 12 Chief Darryl Guillot said no one was hurt but that the restaurant, a popular fixture for more than two decades, was a total loss.
Almost every fire district in St. Tammany Parish sent equipment and personnel to assist, in large part because the water supply in the area was inadequate to sustain a protracted fire scene.
"From the 911 operators and dispatchers who first took the call to the firefighters and law enforcement on the scene, everyone performed exceptionally well," said FD12 Deputy Chief Stephen Krentel. "The situation was handled as smoothly as anyone could want."
