For decades, the air inside Wargo’s Restaurant and Tavern has carried the comforting blend of pit meats, fresh-baked rolls and homemade soups. But after a weekend fire, those familiar aromas were gone — replaced by the harsh, lingering smell of smoke.

Andy and Brenda Wargo spent Monday afternoon literally picking up the pieces of their Forest Hill restaurant after a fire ravaged the kitchen. Just months from celebrating 45 years in business, they are facing an ordeal they never encountered before.

“We got stopped up at the corner up here,” Brenda Wargo said, recalling how deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were controlling traffic on East Jarrettsville Road as firefighters battled the flames. “I jumped out of the car and said ‘Officer, that’s my building,’ and he said, ‘Go, go, go.’ They had [the fire] under control in 10 minutes.”

Firefighters from the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company were first to arrive shortly after 8 a.m. on Saturday. As personnel on the ground sprayed water from firehoses, a ladder truck was positioned over the building to allow firefighters to extinguish flames from the roof.

Wargo's in Forest Hill, is closed due to fire damage which the State Fire Marshal's Office expects to be around $150,000 in losses, although owner Andy Wargo expects that number to be much more. Andy, along with his wife, Brenda, have owned Wargo's since 1980. They have been married for 55 years and in business for almost 45. The fire started in the kitchen, near the hood system, on Saturday morning shortly after 8 a.m. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
Wargo’s in Forest Hill, is closed due to fire damage that the State Fire Marshal’s Office expects to be around $150,000 in losses, although owner Andy Wargo expects that number to be much more. Andy, along with his wife, Brenda, have owned Wargo’s since 1980. They have been married for 55 years and in business for almost 45. The fire started in the kitchen, near the hood system, on Saturday shortly after 8 a.m. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)

Six other volunteer fire companies responded for a total of 30 firefighters at the scene, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. No injuries were reported. After interviewing staff members who were present when the fire broke out, deputy state fire marshals concluded it was accidental and found that flames originated beneath a kitchen hood.

“I was just making rolls with Mike, my coworker, and we had the pit lit up,” said Jake Kahler, an employee. “While we were making rolls, we looked over and saw that it was glowing over top [our heads]. We came outside and saw the fire in the vent. There was a car sitting outside and they called 911.”

Brenda Wargo said sparks from the pit ignited grease beneath the hood, creating a fire that spread through a vent, traveled into the building’s ductwork and ultimately burned a hole through the roof. Although flames were contained to the kitchen, water damage extended into the bar and dining areas.

“All that water went down into my two deep fryers, which sent 80 pounds of oil across the dining room,” Andy Wargo said. “The dining room is literally ruined.”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office estimated damages at approximately $150,000, although Wargo said that number was “not even close,” when taking into consideration the combined costs of the kitchen equipment and structural damage. “Half of my equipment is the original equipment I bought here 44 years ago. It was that good. Big brand-name, expensive stuff, but it’s all shot,” he said. “So we’re going to have to throw out everything and start over.”

The Wargos, along with Kahler and other staff members, spent Monday afternoon stacking chairs in the dining area, cleaning debris from the kitchen and salvaging unspoiled food for donation. With no electric in the building, the only light came from battery-powered lanterns and the natural glow filtering in from outside. Kahler gathered tomatoes that were destined for Buontempo Brothers Pizza, while other produce was set aside for food banks.

Married for more than 55 years, Andy and Brenda have made Wargo’s a true family business, with three generations working under one roof until the fire disrupted everything. Despite the devastation, Andy’s foremost concern on Monday was for his more than 20 employees.

“We’ve always looked for good people, nice people to work with. We’ve got a great crew, and it’s killing me that they’re going to be hurting,” he said.

Brenda described the support from customers as “overwhelming,” sharing that some have come to her in tears, which brought her to tears as well. The Wargos admitted some customers have suggested setting up online fundraisers, but they simply don’t want them to.

“They’ve already supported us and they’re going to continue to support us. We don’t think that’s right,” she said. “We just thank them for their thoughts and prayers.”

“That’s very gracious of them,” her husband added.

The Wargos are determined to reopen and serve Forest Hill again, though repairs to the roof and replacing the damaged kitchen equipment could take at least two to three months, Andy said. With some equipment having lasted since the couple opened their business in 1980, Andy said he will have to look for replacements and compare prices.

The fire at Wargo’s on Saturday was the first of three that required a response from the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company. Firefighters later responded to a two-story house fire on Ellicott Drive in Bel Air, and after that, a two alarm fire at a used car dealership along Pulaski Highway in Edgewood.

Have a news tip? Contact Brennan Stewart at bstewart@baltsun.com, 443-800-5902, or @BrennanStewart_ on X.