PORTLAND, Oregon (KPTV) – A small, family-owned restaurant in northeast Portland was badly damaged by fire Sunday afternoon.

Shortly after 5 p.m., firefighters responded to the 42nd Avenue Fish and Chips on Northeast 42nd where they found large flames. Thanks to a server who acted quickly, customers were able to evacuate the restaurant.

The restaurant is owned by Saquana Peterson’s father, who said her family is devastated but hopes to get back on their feet.

She was at work when she received the call and rushed to the burning restaurant.

“I just can’t – I don’t know what to feel,” Peterson said. “It’s kind of devastating because my dad worked hard for this, he gave it his all, he loves fish and chips, so it’s like we have to start from scratch. I just can’t believe this has happened.”

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Even more heartbreaking for her is that her father, Aaron, is out of town. She said he has owned 42nd Ave for nearly nine years and has worked tirelessly to make it an important part of the Northeast community.

“He didn’t know how bad it was, so I showed him how bad it was. He’s sad, he’s at a loss for words,” Peterson said.

According to authorities, the fire broke out on the outside of the building.

“Crews faced a very difficult fire, both because of the heat and the duration of the firefight,” said Jason Kelley, PF&R battalion commander.

Other obstacles included power lines, multiple layers of roofing and a detached housing unit.

“This was a difficult incident,” Kelley said. “We ask our firefighters to work in these temperatures, in direct sunlight, and with 100-pound equipment. That’s why it’s so important for all firefighters to be physically fit.”

Now her family will get back on its feet, Peterson said.

“I don’t think (my dad) is going to give it up,” Peterson said. “This is his life, he started a business and built this place so he could travel the world and now we’re here.”

She said they would accept any help they could get from the community and hoped to start a GoFundMe campaign. For more information, see this story.

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