Firefighters to open up restaurant

By: Ryan Dean

KSDK -- If you're trained to run into burning buildings, then standing over a hot grill is no big deal. Instead of putting their lives on the line, some firefighters and EMT's will be putting their cooking skills on the line at a new restaurant.

"As a firefighter you would think someone would come up to you and say 'oh you are a fire fighter, you fought a fire or you saved somebody or did you ever deliver a baby.' no it's 'Oh you're a firefighter you can cook,'" St. Louis firefighter Shawn Bittle said.

Soon you are going to be able to taste their cooking.

28 men in the fire fighting and EMS fields are partnering up to open a restaurant like non other in Saint Louis.

The name is Lafayette Fire Company #1, located in Lafayette Square.

The restaurant is having its grand preview on the 25th of this month. The same night as

Guns 'N Hoses, which is the major fundraiser for backstoppers.

The restaurant owners also plan on using Lafayette Fire Company #1 to raise money for Backstoppers and Missouri Children's burn camp.

The men plan on opening for business in December.

"It's going to be like you are having dinner at a firehouse. It's going to have the behind the scenes look," Bittle said.

So expect to hear scanners and sirens. You'll see lots fire fighting apparatus, lights and you may even be served by a real firefighter.

"Everything in here will be related to the fire department," Firefighter Adam Longs said.

Get ready to have some true firehouse favorites thrown on your plate.

"Stuffed hamburgers and cheeseburgers and meat loaf like something you never had in your life," Bittle added. "It's for anyone who wanted to be a firefighter whether your 8 or 50-years-old."