Mar 5, 2008 9:33 am US/Eastern
Restaurant Where Firefighters Died May Reopen
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
The owner of the West Roxbury restaurant where two Boston firefighters died wants to get back in businesses and wants the city's help getting back in business.
Jean Li owns the Tai Ho Restaurant, and hasn't been seen in public since the fire.
On Tuesday night she went before the Boston Licensing Board pleading for time to hold in to that license. However, the board asked her to either give up that license or prove she's ready to use it again.
Li hasn't been held responsible for the fire that killed firefighters Paul Cahill and Warren Payne. However the recent board of inquiry report did find that her equipment had not been cleaned and maintained; and that excessive grease and poor construction directly led to the blaze.
Li's attorney says the restaurant license that helped sustain her family is all she has left.
"This is the last of the revenue of what she had in there," said Carolyn Conway. "She's a single mother, and it's just been a tragic loss all around."
Li has put her food and beverage license up for sale on Craig's List, but it's not her first choice to support herself and her family.
Li lost her lease at the old site, so the city would have to give her 90 days to find a new location. She's hoping to rebuild in West Roxbury, something neighbors say would be emotional for many that live in the area.
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Photos: Fire Investigation Evidence
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