Aston restaurant to reopen after 2-alarm fire, owner says

Firefighters approach the fire at Manbroso's To Go in Aston on Tuesday, shortly after arriving. (courtesy of Aston Township Fire Department)

Manbroso's To Go will be back to serve Aston residents and workers.

Despite a two-alarm fire Tuesday that burned the roof of his business, co-owner John Mancinelli said the business was looking for mobile food trucks to get the takeout restaurant reopening as quickly as possible.

“Luckily, no one was hurt,” said Mancinelli, who grew up in Aston and has close ties to the community.

Mancinelli said they have strong support from Aston workers in nearby industrial parks, who stop in at lunchtime for a bite to eat. The shop offers a traditional menu consisting of salads, steaks, burgers, pizzas, stromboli and wraps.

Mancinelli opened the business about five or six years ago with Jeff Bracalenti.

“People think we're brothers, but we're not, but he's my best friend,” he said.

When the fire broke out around 5 p.m., Mancinelli was at the Sun Valley sports banquet to present two awards to corporate sponsors.

He received the call and rushed to the store in the 4500 block of Aston Mills Road, where everyone had safely evacuated. But fire trucks filled the parking lot as crews used ladders and hoses to put out the flames.

When the fire broke out, staff did not even know the building was on fire. They had to stop cooking and flee, he said.

It took 14 fire companies and departments to bring the fire under control in just under an hour. Firefighters told Mancinelli the fire started in the roof area. It burned in the crawl space above the ceiling.

They think it could be electrical, but the investigation continues, Mancinelli said.

The Aston Fire Marshal has not yet responded to requests for information.

The nearby Four Fingers Brewing Co. was also damaged in the fire. Mancinelli said he has spoken to brewmaster Ross Fritz, who is still assessing the damage.

Wednesday morning, municipal codes department signs were posted ordering the structures to be condemned. A glance through the window revealed a pizza on the counter that was never meant to be eaten. Next door, crews were on the roof of the brewery to inspect the damage.

“We will most definitely reopen,” Mancinelli said. “We love Aston and try to give back as much as possible.”

He said insurance should cover the cost of rebuilding the 600-square-foot shop, which has five employees.

“We are a family business. My oldest son just started working there,” he said.

Mancinelli said the support they have received from the community has been overwhelming. The Moose Lodge, just down the street, announced it would host a June 15 fundraiser for the restaurant.

“The way people are responding is really great,” he said. “It’s been overwhelming.”