This article was originally published in The Examiner on Nov. 23, 2017.
By Eleanor Skelton
Staff Writer
Firefighters in Beaumont dealt with two major fires overnight Sunday at a restaurant and home.
The first fire was reported just after 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 at the Crazy Cajun restaurant, located in the 2300 block of North 11th Street, Beaumont Fire-Rescue Captain Brad Penisson said in a news release.
Firefighters found the patio area and fence of the restaurant on fire when they arrived at the scene, and the fire also spread to a car parked at a house next door.
Crews were able to contain the fire damage to the patio and the car, Penisson said. Crazy Cajun itself was not damaged.
Investigators determined the cause of the fire was probably an electrical short.
Almost three hours later, at 4:45 a.m., a second fire was reported at a house located in the 9400 block of Riggs Street, near the Beaumont Municipal Airport, Penisson said.
Firefighters arriving at the scene found heavy smoke and fire in the garage. They were able to contain the fire to the garage and attic areas of the home.
Several family members who lived there were able to escape, but one person was trapped in a bedroom inside the garage. Firefighters entered the home to rescue the last person left inside.
Firefighters and Beaumont EMS treated the man who was rescued, Charles Watson, 74, at the scene. Watson was taken to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital for smoke inhalation and burns.
Because of the severity of the burns, Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital transported Watson to The University of Texas Medical Branch Hospital in Galveston, and he was listed as being in critical condition.
Investigators determined the second fire at the house was caused by a short in the electrical panel.
Eleanor Skelton 