Hercules Pate Delight, located on the road past Boulon Center in Cruz Bay, went up in flames early Wednesday morning, leaving St. John short one of its popular local eateries.
“The damage is extensive,” Fire Chief Winifred Powell said.
Owner Arthur Hercules said he has no insurance, but said he will try to rebuild rather than reopen in another location.
“It’s a total loss,” he said of his restaurant.
The Fire Service received the 911 alarm at 2:30 a.m. The fire station is located about a block away, and Powell said three trucks responded to the alarm. She said it took about 2.5 hours to put out the fire.
The fire also damaged metal window trim at the adjacent Penn’s Trucking.
“Nothing major, it’s just heat related,” owner Jose Penn said.
Additionally, Powell noted a food truck on the other side of Hercules Pate Delight suffered damage.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Powell said.
