Fire Ravages Popular Seafood Restaurant

Dining Area Escapes Heavy Damage

A landmark seafood restaurant in Laurel was badly damaged yesterday morning in a two-alarm fire that ripped through the rear of the unoccupied building, where the offices and walk-in refrigerators and freezers are located.

No one was injured in the 6:15 a.m. blaze, which sent flames through the roof of the Bay 'n Surf Seafood Restaurant at 14441 Baltimore Ave. The dining area survived mostly unscathed.

Mark Brady, a Prince George's County fire department spokesman, said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

About 80 firefighters and 20 pieces of equipment were used to extinguish the blaze.

The Bay 'n Surf prides itself on beef and seafood dishes, especially its award-winning cream of crab soup, which the menu has long proclaimed to be the finest in Maryland. In addition to serving people in its three nautically themed dining rooms, the restaurant has shipped orders throughout the country

The restaurant has been owned and operated by the Edelman family for 42 years, according to its Web site and news clippings.

Patrick Edelman, the owner of the restaurant, could not be reached for comment at his home or business yesterday

Brady, a longtime patron of the restaurant, said he was confident that he had not spooned up his last bowl of the Bay 'n Surf's specialty.

"I think with some time, and some work, that they'll be able to reopen," he said.

Staff writer Candace Rondeaux also contributed to this report.