After Fire, Athens Grill Owner Vows To Rebuild

Standing outside the smoking ruins of his fire-ravaged restaurant, Athens Grill owner John Mantzopoulos vowed Friday night,  "I will be back. This restaurant will reopen." 

Mantzopoulos said the important thing was that no one was hurt in the East Main Street blaze  -- a grease fire that began in the kitchen at around 8:30 p.m. Friday -- and that all his customers and staff were evacuated safely and quickly.

"At least no one was hurt," he said.

His wife, Histina, traveled from Greenport with their four-year-old daughter once she heard the news. "I'm just glad he's okay," she said.

Athens Grill had just recently opened up the walls between the original side and the newer expansion. While the Mantzopolous family has their work cut out for them to rebound, Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter said he would do what he can to help out the downtown business owner.

"This is tragic for the family. Thank goodness no one was hurt. If I know John and his wife, they'll rebuild. And they'll rebuild better than ever," Walter said.

The supervisor also commended the great job done by firefighters.

Fire department spokesman Bill Sanok said that surrounding businesses may have suffered some smoke and water damage in Friday night's fire, though the fire itself did not spread.

Sanok said things could have been worse, with much of the damage cosmetic, but noted that the building's roof was damaged, as well as the ceilings inside the restaurant.

East Main Street was shut down in both directions as firefighters battled the blaze.

One firefighter called the fire "very hot and very smoky," and it is currently under official investigation by a Riverhead Fire Marshal. 

Six area fire departments responded to the scene: Jamesport, Flanders, Wading River, Manorville, Westhampton Beach, and Eastport. Riverhead and Flanders-Northampton Ambulance Corps responded as well. 

When the fire first broke out, eyewitnesses reported seeing flames and smoke billowing from the roof.

Mantzopoulos said his restaurant had been stocked with food for Saturday's cardboard boat race festivities and the timing, during the kick-off to the summer season, was unfortunate. "This is the worst thing that could have happened," he said.

But Walter assured Matzopoulos that he would have help rebuilding. "The town, and your friends, are here for you," Walter said.