The owners promised to reopen the beloved restaurant after a devastating 2-alarm fire on Tuesday morning.
FREDERICK, Md. — Firefighters worked to extinguish a two-alarm blaze at a restaurant in Frederick, Maryland, early Tuesday morning. The Red Horse Steakhouse has been a community staple for nearly 60 years.
According to the fire department, crews were first called to the Red Horse just before 3 a.m. Once on scene, firefighters arrived to find flames shooting through the rough of the rear corner of the building. Due to the size of the blaze, a second alarm was called to get more resources to the scene.
Firefighters were on scene for more than an hour working to put the fire out. The fire department is still investigating what caused the fire. The fire department did not provide a damage estimate for the building.
The steakhouse’s website says the Red Horse has been locally owned and operated since 1968, specializing in hand-cut steaks and traditional seafood.
Owners Ken and Roy Bromfield began working at the Red Horse in high school. Ken Bromfield came back to the restaurant to work full time following his graduation from Towson University in 1974. Roy Bromfield joined his brother in management in 1984.
“Over time, the brothers forged an equal partnership and were able to purchase the business and building from original owner Bill Jefferies. The brothers continue their ‘hands-on’ involvement with the restaurant’s daily operation,” the Red Horse website says.
Commenters on social media said they were hoping the beloved restaurant would rebuild.
“So sad! That place has been around my whole life. Well at least as far back as I remember. Sending prayers to the owners, employees and first responders. I hope that they rebuild,” one commenter wrote on Facebook.
The owners of the Red Horse promised that they would be back open as soon as possible.
“While this is a heartbreaking moment for us, we want our community to know that we are already working diligently to bring her back. The Red Horse has been part of Frederick for decades, and she is not done yet,” the Red Horse said on their Facebook page. “Thank you as well to our community for the outpouring of love, messages, and decades of support. Your kindness and loyalty mean more to us than words can express.”
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. Additional details were not immediately available.