Popular Crossgar diner hit by blaze

Popular Crossgar diner hit by blaze

3 January 2024

FIREFIGHTERS and residents have been praised for their response to the Boxing Day fire at AJ’s Diner in Crossgar.

Over 50 firefighters helped tackle the blaze which is believed to have started in the kitchen.

Residents helped remove 15 large gas cylinders away from the rear of the building and an aerial appliance was used as part of the Fire and Rescue Service response.

No one was hurt in the blaze with the restaurant owners confirming via social media that while the damage to the kitchen was “quite substantial, the restaurant looks like it will be OK after a good clean”.

The post continues: “It could have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for the great response by the Fire Service and the local community who helped out.

“We will be working hard to reopen as soon as possible and we will keep you up to date of progress.”

The fire – which was reported in the early afternoon – saw nine appliances, including the aerial appliance, rushing to the scene with breathing apparatus teams sent into the building to tackle the flames.

Images from the scene posted on social media showed the scale of the significant operation, with smoke billowing into the sky from the rear of the building where the kitchen is located. Smoke also poured out from upstairs windows.

Firefighters believe the blaze was centred on a kitchen-storeroom area in the building with an investigation launched to establish the cause of the fire.

As firefighters tackled the blaze, Downpatrick Street and Station Road were both closed, while some residents who lived in nearby apartments who were evacuated were allowed to return to their homes on Tuesday evening.

Alan Graham, the former owner of the restaurant which opened in 2002, said he was lost for words and felt sorry for the new owners.

“People come here from far and wide and the restaurant has come through some hard times with Covid and stuff. We thought we had seen the worst of it over, but obviously this is devastating. AJ’s was always a strong business through the years,” he said speaking at the scene.

“Hopefully they [the owners] can get the place back to where it was again,” he added.

South Downs MLAs Colin McGrath and Patrick Brown and Rowallane councillors Terry Andrews David Lee-Surginor have praised the response of the Fire and Rescue Service and local people.

Mr McGrath said  AJ’s was an institution in Crossgar.  “It’s very, very popular and would see people travelling from far and wide to go there,” he continued.

“It would be the kind of place people wouldn’t just go maybe once a year, but once a week. It’s very sad to see and I just want to send my thoughts and prayers to everyone at AJ’s,” he said.

“Hopefully there’s not too much damage and AJ’s can get back on its feet soon.”

Mr Brown said he is “devastated” for the owners of the business and staff.

“I commend the fire service for the fantastic and swift action which extinguished the fire quickly and safely as well as preventing further damage to surrounding buildings,” he said.

“AJ’s is a much-loved institution of Crossgar and well known throughout the South Down area and I am hopeful the business can recover from this as quickly as possible.”

Cllr Andrews praised Fire and Rescue Service Group Commander Ross Toland and firefighters for their work.

He said the British Red Cross were also in attendance and provided refreshments and thanked them and others who helped in any way.

“Everyone’s help was impressive and much appreciated,” Cllr Andrews continued. 

“My thoughts and prayers are very much with all who were affected by and impacted upon following what happened and I wish the owners well in their efforts to reopen the restaurant as soon as possible.”

Cllr Andrews said AJ’s was a “landmark in the village” since it opened over two decades ago and its reputation extended far beyond Crossgar.

“Local people are fully behind the restaurant owners and wish them well in their efforts to reopen as soon as possible,” he added.

Cllr Lee-Surginor is thankful no one was injured as a result of the “unfortunate event” which he said could have been a lot worse had it not been for the efforts of local people to help remove gas tanks and diesel from the site. 

“Thankfully, the damage was contained within the building and I will be supporting AJ’s as work begins to reopen the business.”