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Oasis destroyed in early morning fire
Fire crews still on scene; owner vows to rebuild
Larry Kolvoord/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Flames show from The Oasis restaurant on Lake Travis as it burns Wednesday morning.
A plume of smoke rises from The Oasis Restaurant overlooking Lake Travis.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
The Oasis, an Austin-area landmark where patrons cheered each sunset from decks overlooking Lake Travis, was destroyed by fire early today.
Authorities said the restaurant caught fire around 4:30 a.m. and was quickly engulfed. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Fire crews from Hudson Bend and surrounding areas remained on the scene this morning trying to extinguish the last of the flames.
The fire may have been caused by a lightning strike to one of the decks, said Hudson Bend Fire Chief Bruce Watson. A line of thunderstorms swept through the Austin-area early today.
"What neighbors are telling us is it was one of the decks (on fire)," Watson said. "They said it was solid red."
Roughly 40 wooden decks clung to cliffs over the lake.
Watson said no employees were at the restaurant when the fire started and there were no injuries.
Plumes of smoke continued to billow from the charred structure nearly four hours after firefighters got the initial call at 4:36 a.m. The smoke could be seen from as far away as downtown Austin.
Owner Beau Theriot said his niece, who lives near the restaurant, heard an explosion early today and called 911. She then ran to his house about a quarter mile from the restaurant and beat on his door until he woke up, Theriot said.
He said there is "no question" that he will rebuild.
"I've got 24 years of creation over there, and I've got to start re-creating," he said.
By 7 a.m. dozens of employees, some still in their pajamas, arrived to watch the Oasis burn and share in each other's shock and grief. The Oasis has nearly 300 workers and could hold up to 2,000 customers.
Misty Moore, who has worked there as a waitress for more than two years, said a co-worker called with the news around 5:30 a.m.
"She was freaking out, saying Oasis is burning to the ground," Moore said, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm still in shock. I'm at a loss for words."
Employees described Tuesday night as another hectic night at the close of the long Memorial Day weekend. The restaurant closed at about 10 p.m. and most of the employees cleared out shortly after 11 p.m. and said they were looking forward to a much-needed day off today. (The restaurant is normally closed on Wednesdays.)
Adam Linstrom, who said he was hired as a waiter 18 months ago, had plans to go tubing on the Guadalupe River today with co-workers.
"Now, it's like we have to save our money," said Linstrom, 22.
Since Theriot opened it, the Oasis has grown considerably on its 500-acre site, adding decks, a bell tower, a wedding chapel, a banquet hall and private dining areas.
Throughout the years it became a mandatory stop for countless tourists and visitors to the Austin area. As the sun dipped behind the surrounding hills each night, employees would ring a bell as customers cheered.
tplohetski@statesman.com; 445-3605 Link
http://www.bugmenot.com/view.php?url=www.statesman.com
Oasis destroyed in early morning fire
Fire crews still on scene; owner vows to rebuild
Larry Kolvoord/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Flames show from The Oasis restaurant on Lake Travis as it burns Wednesday morning.
A plume of smoke rises from The Oasis Restaurant overlooking Lake Travis.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
The Oasis, an Austin-area landmark where patrons cheered each sunset from decks overlooking Lake Travis, was destroyed by fire early today.
Authorities said the restaurant caught fire around 4:30 a.m. and was quickly engulfed. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Fire crews from Hudson Bend and surrounding areas remained on the scene this morning trying to extinguish the last of the flames.
The fire may have been caused by a lightning strike to one of the decks, said Hudson Bend Fire Chief Bruce Watson. A line of thunderstorms swept through the Austin-area early today.
"What neighbors are telling us is it was one of the decks (on fire)," Watson said. "They said it was solid red."
Roughly 40 wooden decks clung to cliffs over the lake.
Watson said no employees were at the restaurant when the fire started and there were no injuries.
Plumes of smoke continued to billow from the charred structure nearly four hours after firefighters got the initial call at 4:36 a.m. The smoke could be seen from as far away as downtown Austin.
Owner Beau Theriot said his niece, who lives near the restaurant, heard an explosion early today and called 911. She then ran to his house about a quarter mile from the restaurant and beat on his door until he woke up, Theriot said.
He said there is "no question" that he will rebuild.
"I've got 24 years of creation over there, and I've got to start re-creating," he said.
By 7 a.m. dozens of employees, some still in their pajamas, arrived to watch the Oasis burn and share in each other's shock and grief. The Oasis has nearly 300 workers and could hold up to 2,000 customers.
Misty Moore, who has worked there as a waitress for more than two years, said a co-worker called with the news around 5:30 a.m.
"She was freaking out, saying Oasis is burning to the ground," Moore said, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm still in shock. I'm at a loss for words."
Employees described Tuesday night as another hectic night at the close of the long Memorial Day weekend. The restaurant closed at about 10 p.m. and most of the employees cleared out shortly after 11 p.m. and said they were looking forward to a much-needed day off today. (The restaurant is normally closed on Wednesdays.)
Adam Linstrom, who said he was hired as a waiter 18 months ago, had plans to go tubing on the Guadalupe River today with co-workers.
"Now, it's like we have to save our money," said Linstrom, 22.
Since Theriot opened it, the Oasis has grown considerably on its 500-acre site, adding decks, a bell tower, a wedding chapel, a banquet hall and private dining areas.
Throughout the years it became a mandatory stop for countless tourists and visitors to the Austin area. As the sun dipped behind the surrounding hills each night, employees would ring a bell as customers cheered.
tplohetski@statesman.com; 445-3605 Link
