Dale’s Seafood owner plans to rebuild after fire destroys restaurant

TABOR CITY, NC (WWAY) — A fire ripped through a popular Tabor City restaurant early Friday morning.

Columbus County Fire Marshal Shannon Blackman said the call came in around 3:45 a.m. when someone walking by Dale’s Seafood on Hwy 701 noticed smoke coming from the top of the building.

“It’s probably about an hour they had it pretty much under control, there were still a lot of hot spots in there due to the collapsing of the second floor in there,” said Blackman.

Tabor City Fire Department was first on the scene, and was soon joined by Roseland, Loris, and Williams Township.

“The fire department did a good job with what they had when they arrived on scene,” said Blackman.

Tabor City Fire Chief Jerry Hodge said the roof fell into the fire, creating hot spots. Hodge said because of this, they will keep an eye on it over the weekend.

Dale’s Seafood owner Rusty Tyson, who built the restaurant in 1985, is keeping a positive attitude and plans to rebuild.

“I’m old enough that I could retire. But I’m not a quitter, I’m a winner. I’ve been here 33 [years] And I’m going to try to make it to 50,” said Tyson.

Tyson said he’s trying to focus on the positive in a bad situation.

“I didn’t lose my tree here. This tree’s more important than the restaurant, this is an oak tree and it’s probably about 300 years old. It’s a landmark. In fact, when I got here I told them to keep the tree wet and let the restaurant burn. Cause I can replace it,” said Tyson.

And as far as rebuilding, Tyson said it isn’t just for him.

“My youngins will have something. You know my kids, I’m going to pass it on down. So that’s my plan,” Tyson said.