Fire was second to affect Smithfield restaurant

The Barefoot family opened Holt Lake Bar-B-Que and Seafood 31 years ago.

In 1981, a fire burned the original restaurant to the ground, owner Donna Barefoot said.  After that, Holt Lake reopened in a new building, at 3506 U.S. Highway 301 South in Smithfield, 60 days later.

"Today, it'll take me 60 days to get a permit," owner Terry Barefoot said Monday.

The restaurant was not open when the fire started at about 6 p.m. Sunday. The fire was contained to the kitchen, Smithfield Fire Department Chief Patrick Harris said.

No injuries were reported

Investigators said they believe the fire started when some fluorescent lights shorted out. Further investigation is planned.

Terry Barefoot said he is concerned about the restaurant's 20 employees.  "The way the economy is right now, it's going to be hard for them to find a job," he said.

Gail Byrd has been a cook at Holt Lake for 17 years.

"Hopefully, when everything is back in order, I'm going to be back at work," Byrd said.

The Barefoots are insured and said they hope to get back to business soon.

"If there's anyway we can build back, we're going to build back," Terry Barefoot said.

"I don't think they're going to forget about us. Holt Lake's been on the map a while. It's just going to take some time," Donna Barefoot said.