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KATONAH, N.YThe fire that took place in the Pizza Station in Katonah on Wednesday caught many observers off guard at 7:30 in the morning. One in particular, though, stood apart from the rest.
Alec Forrester of Cross River has worked in the eatery for the last six years, and was on the way to his morning job when he saw the establishment engulfed in smoke.
I came by to get a sandwich across the street before my morning job, and I saw the smoke coming out, and the fire trucks, he explained. I stopped by to see what was happening.
What had occurred was a fire started by a freezer-like electrical appliance, according to Katonah Fire Chief Ben Schuberg. It was first reported to the Katonah Fire Department at 7:45 a.m.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Schuberg noted the damage was done primarily to the bottom floor of the building, as the residential area upstairs had minor damage.
Forrester, also an intern at CNBC, was distressed to see his workplace set ablaze, at the very least for its impact on the community. It was shocking. Its an institution in the town, he said.
While from the outside looking in might seem bleak for the future of the store, Forrester expressed hope that Pizza Station will be back on its feet in the near future.
I dont think it will be too bad, he said. Maybe a couple months and well be back in business.
Even with his optimism, the initial moment of shock caught Forrester off guard, and gave him an unfamiliar, and unwelcomed feeling.
Ive been here so long," he said. "Its really hard to see somewhere you worked so hard in and for so long go up in smoke.
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