Dallas-Fire Rescue units were assigned to call at 10:20 a.m. for a structure fire at Heavenly Christian Academy at 9625 Plano Road.
No information is currently available on damages or the source of the fire, but the department reports everyone was out of the facility when firefighters arrived.
11:41 a.m. Update: The fire was extinguished at 11:22 a.m.
3:33 p.m. Update: According to investigators, the fire began in the back of the business near a laundry room, but the exact cause remains undetermined at this time. No injuries were reported.
Gerardo Palma arrived at his restaurant about 10:30 a.m. to find black smoke pouring out of his shop and the others around it. He’s owned Rockyano’s Pizza since 2001.
“When I came in, I saw the fire trucks were already here,” he said. “It looks like the fire started down by the daycare.”
Neighbors reported seeing Dallas Fire and Rescue heroes escorting children to safety from the Heavenly Christian Academy southward toward the Sonic. Other damaged businesses include Tukta Thai, The Professionals, Metro T-Mobile, Allstate and T-Dental.
“I’m not sure how much damage, but it looks pretty bad,” Palma added, choking back tears. “It’s upsetting. I’ve owned Rockyano’s for a pretty long time. It’s a family restaurant, this place, and everybody in Lake Highlands is very kind to us. It’s a very nice place, a good neighborhood.”
Even in his exhaustion and grief, Palma wasn’t ready to give up on his entrepreneurial dream.
“We’ll wait to see what insurance covers, and then we’ll work very quickly to repair the damage. I’m thinking it’s pretty bad, but we will fix it somehow.”
Editor’s note: This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
