“We can repair and fix it”: Community rallies around southern Indiana restaurant after fire

CORYDON, Ind. —

Instead of cooking meals for customers, the owners of El Nopalito spent the day cleaning up after a fire tore through the restaurant’s kitchen early Saturday on Old Highway 135.

Harrison Township firefighters arrived within three minutes of the 911 call and found heavy flames coming from the kitchen and roof. Additional departments were called in to help with manpower and water.

“You can’t see anything inside. It was like, literally smoke from everywhere,” manager Raul Velasco said.

Inside, charred walls and sections of collapsed ceiling show the extent of the damage, and the smell of smoke still lingers.

Velasco, who has run the family business for more than two decades with his brother, wife and extended family, said he’s grateful no one was hurt.

“That was the fi