Fire Won't Keep Marietta Diner From Staying Closed Long

MARIETTA, Ga.,None — One of Metro Atlanta's most beloved diners is planning to reopen after a fire tore through the restaurant.

People travel across the country just to eat at the Marietta Diner, a Cobb County institution.

A series of three fires in 12 hours closed the diner for breakfast and lunch Tuesday.

Owner Gus Tselios said, "I've been here 17 years. The place has never been closed. We have no lock on the door, no key."

The first fire started late Monday night as crews were cleaning the hood in the kitchen.

Flames burned through the ceiling and a small part of the roof.

"I think it has to do with the kitchen fan. When they were cleaning the exhaust fans last night, they didn't shut off the kitchen fan," said Tselios.

The owner says when they tried to start the fans up again Tuesday morning, the fire flared up and then again before the lunch hour.

"When we put out the first fire, every time we turned the fans back on, to get back in business, it started up again," said Tselios. "We're trying to go as fast as possible. But after a third little incident, we're taking our time now. Safety is the most important issue right now."

The damage has been confined to the kitchen, but it was enough to put the "closed" sign up in the window and disappoint customers, keeping the usually jammed parking lot empty.

WSBTV