Fire destroys Silver Lake landmark

Published 1:47 pm Monday, November 9, 2009

EVERETT – An early morning fire destroyed Emory’s Restaurant on the shores of Silver Lake.

By the time firefighters were summoned around 4:20 a.m., flames already were bursting through the landmark’s roof, officials said.

As the fight against the fire progressed, alarms summoned extra crews. By the time the flames were knocked down, it was a three-alarm emergency.

Emory Cole, the restaurant’s owner and namesake, called the blaze unbelievable.

“It’s devastating,” Cole said. “You just never think this is going to happen to you.”

As the sun rose, only the last stubborn flames could be seen in the burnt-out structure of the building.

The restaurant’s sign promised a Thanksgiving dinner, but Cole said he was more worried about Christmas for his 50 employees.

The restaurant appears to be a total loss.

Fire investigators have not yet determined what sparked the blaze.