Looks like roof collapsed partially and damage is significant. Someone was. Poking inside when the fire started

Damn. My brother-in-law is a welder for Franklin and my sister-in-law owns the Legend Coffee trailer on site at Franklin's. I hope everything there is ok.

KXAN says restaurant part was had slight smoke damage. The pits had quite a bit more.

Texted with my SIL. Coffee trailer is ok, but Franklin's is in extremely bad shape. That's about all the detail I can give, but it's bad.

No indications how/what started it all?

An ember blew up in the wind and got caught under the roof/ceiling.

http://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/aaron-franklin-will-rebuild/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Web%20Social&utm_content=Franklin%20Fire%20Interview

Franklin is a good dude.
"Once the fire was out, Franklin offered briskets to the firefighters. There were 110 finished ones sitting in the warmers unharmed, but without any utilities in the building, Franklin couldn't exactly serve them. The firefighters said they weren't allowed to accept them, but I wouldn't blame any of Austin's finest if they were having brisket for dinner."

You can hoist your political flag if you want but public servants, city, state, federal, are not allowed to accept gifts. It's pretty much the same situation as athletes and boosters. It is mainly to avoid the perception of impropriety.

Potcake said:

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You can hoist your political flag if you want but public servants, city, state, federal, are not allowed to accept gifts. It's pretty much the same situation as athletes and boosters. It is mainly to avoid the perception of impropriety.

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I totally get the policy and the perception of impropriety concerning gifts but I still think it's dumb in this special case. Like I said it's cooked food that's going to spoil. Maybe Aaron could have marked the briskets down to $1 each and just have the guys buy them.
Even give them receipts so it's ok with the City of Austin. But I'm sure people would ***** about them getting $100 briskets for a $1 and want to know why they can't do the same. Let's just follow policy here and give them to the ARCH (are they allowed to accept them? Or a food bank) or throw them away.
I would have liked the story to end that way with the firefighters getting them and thought it would be a cool story plus something good for Austin.
I took my American flag down before all the weather hit.

I think it was awesome that Aaron offered them. I also don't like seeing food that died go to waste. Your comment intimated COA politics (your views not so transparent) were to blame, that was the point of my post.

Franklin is going to be shut down for a while, but my SIL's coffee trailer is still open on the restaurant site. If y'all need caffeine, are near downtown, & want to support a local business owner, I know she'd appreciate the business. The trailer is on the backside of the restaurant.

This isn't just City of Austin. Most if not all government entities have limits or outright bans on gifts.

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Most if not all government entities have limits or outright bans on gifts.

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I think most people are aware of this, and understand it. I think the point is that the voice of reason is never even allowed into the situation.

Working on a project for the state of CA, and we decided to bring donuts to a meeting. Nope - rejected. Can't do it because of policy. It's donuts. I realize some people might try to persuade the gov't with cars, boats, money, etc. but donuts. come on.

You neglected to mention that it's damn good coffee!