When a beloved Taco Bell restaurant in Montgomery, Alabama, went up in flames last week, the fire destroyed more than the building.
No, no one was actually harmed in the fire, but it seemed to leave many Taco Bell fans in mourning.
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In fact, more than 100 of them gathered Sunday evening for an actual candlelight vigil.
The tongue-in-cheek event, organized on Facebook, asked fans to "join us in mourning as we stand together in the loss of our beloved taco bell."
“May we never forget the okay customer service and long wait line for the oh so delightful baja blasts and 5 dollar quesadilla box,” event organizer Katie James wrote. “Bring your own candles. We are broke.”
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In a statement to WFSA, the owners of the restaurant on Zelda Road said, "Taco Bell Zelda Rd thanks all of the wonderful customers who are planning a candlelight vigil for the burning of our store. We are overwhelmed by the displays of support. We are extremely thankful that no one was harmed early Wednesday morning when the store burned and that no firefighters were injured as they battled the flames in single digit temperatures. Unfortunately, because this is still an active investigation site and dangerous conditions exist, the Fire Department has instructed us to keep the site closed and no one is allowed on the premises."
But that didn't stop the diehard Taco Bell fans on Sunday. Approximately 100 showed up in the parking lot of the Arby's next door, donning Taco Bell merchandise with candles in hand, according to the Ledger-Enquirer.
There was even a live performance by “The Baja Angels.”
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Several attendees shared photo and video of the event on social media.
And a lot of people were really into it.
But others, not so much.
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"It just gave people something to talk about other than all the negativity that's going on right now," James, the event organizer, told the Montgomery Advertiser.
It was James’ roommate, Russell Dowis, who originally came up with the idea as a joke.
But the mourners need not worry for long. According to WFSA, the owners announced the restaurant will rebuild and hold a re-opening celebration.
“Hope that all of you that Quiero Taco Bell will Run to the Border on Zelda and LiveMas with us!!!!” they said.
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