Credit: SZECHUAN HOUSE/ FACEBOOK

On the evening of Sunday, January 5, at about 6 p.m., popular Chinese restaurant Szechuan House caught fire.

Tampa Fire Rescue told Tampa Bay Times that although the restaurant was closed, the back of the Szechuan House caught on fire and caused the second floor of the building to collapse at 508 N. Franklin St.

Tampa Fire spokesman Jason Penny told the publication that besides a man inside the building when the fire began sustained minor injuries, no other injuries were reported.


The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the theory of an air conditioning unit on top of the building catching on fire has been ruled out. 

Although Szechuan House is closed until further notice, Penny told the Times that the businesses nearby that were evacuated should be able to resume business on Monday, January 6.

Before you selfishly think, "Wait, what about my favorite orange chicken?" When CL tried to call the Chinese restaurant, the line recording played, "Sorry that wasn't a valid number." More details to come on the fate of Szechuan House. 

Want to know everything going on with Tampa Bay's food and drink scene? Sign up for our Bites newsletter.

This article appears in Jan 2-8, 2020.