DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q caught fire in Decatur Friday night — marking the second blaze at a locally-owned Gibson’s location in a year.

According to a social media post from the restaurant, the pit room caught fire Friday evening at the location on Danville Road.

“Everyone is safe! We are thankful for the swift action of our staff and local fire department for containing the fire so quickly,” the post read. “We appreciate all the calls, messages, and texts from all of our customers, friends, and family.”

The restaurant expects to reopen by the beginning of next week.

The location on 6th Avenue in Decatur will operate under normal business hours.

While Gibson’s Barbecue restaurant in Huntsville and the Big Bob Gibson’s Barbecue locations in Decatur aren’t the same franchise, they’re owned by the same family.

“Big Bob” Gibson started selling barbecue in Decatur in 1925 from a makeshift table in his backyard, before moving to a storefront in 1952 on sixth avenue. The Danville Road location was opened by the family in the early 1990s.

Gibson’s BBQ in Huntsville was opened in 1956 by Big Bob’s daughter Velma, son David, and their spouses. The location is now owned by Art Sanford, a descendant of the family.

The Huntsville location caught fire and closed last April. Owner Art Sanford said at the time of that fire that his family owned the north Alabama staple since 1956 — and held a 66-year anniversary celebration the prior weekend.

In May 2022, the restaurant said it could be anywhere from six to nine months before they reopen in the Rocket City.