Massive fire shuts down longtime seafood restaurant in Austin

A fire has shuttered a 17-year-old seafood restaurant and two other businesses on a popular shopping strip in Central Texas. While it's unclear when the two shops will reopen, an jewelry retailer is aiming to be back in operation later this week. Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar on South Congress Avenue in Austin announced on social media that it will remain temporarily closed after a fire broke out at the restaurant on Sunday, September 6. At least two shops in the same building on South Congress, Studs earrings and Gelato Paradiso, were also closed due the fire. The Austin Fire Department told MySA that it took approximately two hours to extinguish the fire, which started in a kitchen vent hood system before traveling upward through the roof. The building sustained "extensive" fire damage and affected every floor of the building, according to AFD. A box alarm was reported around 6:14 p.m. and firefighters quickly responded to the scene four minutes later at 1400 S. Congress Ave. All Perla's employees inside were able to safely evacuate with no injuries, but one firefighter was treated for a minor heat-related issue and returned to work with fluids. The fire required crews to open void spaces within the building that were concealing flames which took extra time. AFD crews extinguished the fire and conducted extensive overhaul operations to ensure it was fully extinguished and had not spread to other parts of the building. In addition to Perla's, Gelato Paradiso and Studs remained closed on Labor Day and Tuesday, September 8. A sign on the Stud's door says the store is planning to "be back" on Friday, September 11 and shoppers can visit its Domain location in the meantime. While there is no damage estimate for the building at this time, both Gelato Paradiso and Perla's have signs posted that they will be closed until further notice. MySA reached out to Perla's for more information.