COLUMBUS, OH — A Sunday afternoon lunch rush turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak in German Village as a fire tore through the historic Thurman Cafe. While the building sustained heavy damage, officials say a potential tragedy was averted as all patrons and staff escaped the smoke-filled landmark safely.
Evacuation During Peak Hours
The fire broke out just after 2:15 PM on Sunday, a time when the restaurant was packed with hungry weekend customers and nearly a dozen staff members. According to Columbus Division of Fire Lt. Nick Davis, between six and eight employees managed to evacuate the building alongside a full house of diners.
Remarkably, no injuries were reported despite the speed at which the fire spread.
Fire Crews Battle the Blaze
Firefighters arrived to find a dire scene: flames were climbing the rear exterior wall and disappearing into the restaurant’s roofline. Witnesses at neighboring businesses reported that Thurman Avenue was quickly engulfed in thick, heavy smoke.
To save the structure, approximately 35 firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Crews were forced to break the restaurant’s front windows to vent the smoke and ensure the fire hadn’t jumped into the walls of the dining area. While the cause is still officially under investigation, fire officials noted that the most severe damage is concentrated at the rear of the building.
A Community in Support
The Thurman Cafe, a staple of the Columbus food scene since 1942, addressed the incident on social media Sunday evening. The owners expressed relief that the fire occurred while the building was occupied, allowing for a quick emergency response.
“Thank you for all the love and support,” the restaurant posted. “We’re glad everyone is okay and thankful the electrical fire happened during the day so someone was around to catch it before it was even worse. It’s hard to say when we will be able to reopen, but we look forward to that day.”
The timeline for repairs and reopening remains uncertain as investigators and insurance adjusters begin to assess the “significant” structural and smoke damage.
