TAMPA, Fla. — The owner of Rene’s Mexican Kitchen in Ybor City has asked the community for help after an electrical fire heavily damaged the restaurant last Wednesday, leaving the business temporarily closed.
“We’re looking for help because we’re trying to get back on our feet,” said Chef Rene Valenzuela. “We didn’t have fire insurance. We had liability insurance, we have worker’s comp, but whatever got burned or melted, water damage, we lost everything.”
Valenzuela said he and his staff were inside the restaurant at 2802 N. 16th St. when the fire started around 10:39 a.m. and were able to evacuate safely. The chef said the building is from the 1920’s and the fire was sparked by old wiring in the attic…