Early-Morning Fire Destroys Longtime Family-Owned Whitmore’s Bar-B-Q in Warrensville Heights

Whitmore’s Bar-B-Q, a family-owned Cleveland restaurant founded in 1942 and operating at the Warrensville Heights location since 1980, was destroyed by a fire that tore through a plaza near Warrensville Center Road and Harvard Avenue, the restaurant family and local fire officials said. The family called the loss devastating and urged the public to support employees as they rebuild.

Fire crews first responded after a report of heavy smoke and flames at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3. Firefighters arriving on scene found heavy smoke and flames coming from the business structure, and the building’s roof collapsed during the response, leaving Whitmore’s a total loss, officials said. No injuries were reported.

Warrensville Heights Firefighters Local 1591 posted, "Multiple lines were pulled and crews went with offensive strategy." Officials said crews initially attacked the blaze aggressively but were forced to withdraw as the roof began to fail. Warrensville Heights requested mutual aid, and departments from Beachwood, Orange Village, North Randall, Maple Heights and Shaker Heights assisted in extinguishing the fire.

Fire crews were reported back at the plaza around 11 a.m. as investigators secured the scene. The Warrensville Heights Fire Department is conducting an active investigation into the cause of the fire; officials have not released a cause or any dollar estimates for damage. Local reporting indicates the blaze also damaged or destroyed adjacent connected businesses, described in media accounts as a salon, a shoe store and a hat store, but exact statuses and business names have not been confirmed.

The Whitmore’s family posted on social media asking for support and prayers for displaced employees, writing, "Whitmore’s has always been more than a restaurant, it’s family. Your kindness and encouragement mean everything to us, and we thank you in advance for standing with us during this time." The family added, "Please continue to keep our employees and their families in your prayers as we begin rebuilding. We want you to know this is only temporary — we will be back soon, stronger and better than ever." The restaurant also set up a GoFundMe to help rebuild and support staff.

Beyond the immediate damage, unanswered questions remain: officials have not released an official cause, insurance or ownership details for the plaza have not been disclosed, and the exact number of employees impacted has not been reported. The Warrensville Heights Fire Department will need to confirm which connected storefronts are total losses and when the plaza will be safe for recovery work; meanwhile, Whitmore’s family and neighbors are organizing relief and beginning plans to rebuild.