Nearly 100 Taco Bell fans in Alabama hold vigil after Montgomery Taco Bell burns down
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.
@tacobell It is with extreme sadness that we inform you of the loss of our community Taco Bell due to a fire..
— Katie James (@KimmyJinPP) January 18, 2018
I have been asked by all interested and partaking if you would donate tacos to the candle light vigil and join in our grief as we mourn our Taco Bell loss#NEVERFORGET pic.twitter.com/dXdNLwpCeY
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.
Vigil at the Zelda Road Taco Bell features a live performance by a group calling themselves the Baja Angels @ALNewsNetwork pic.twitter.com/6IwZcfQhSy
— Kimberly Hyde (@KimberlyHydeTV) January 22, 2018
Dozens in the Montgomery community have gathered for a vigil to pay their respects to the Zelda Rd Taco Bell that went up in flames last week. @ALNewsNetwork pic.twitter.com/oC9UDaHtTX
— Kimberly Hyde (@KimberlyHydeTV) January 22, 2018
And a lot of people were really into it.
my biggest life regret at this point is not going to the candlelight vigil for the burned Taco Bell down the street bc I fell asleep.
— CHIKA (@oranicuhh) January 22, 2018
SAY WHAT U WANT ABOUT THE SOUTH BUT FOLKS IN MONTGOMERY ALABAMA JUST HAD A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR THEIR FAV TACO BELL THAT BURNED DOWN AND ALL AT ONCE I FEEL SO AT HOME.
— amanda. 🇵🇸 (@amandaWUT) January 22, 2018
A Taco Bell in Montgomery, Alabama died and the residents held a candlelight vigil. A woman sang a song. I've never related more to anyone on the internet ever. pic.twitter.com/tS1AG3fp91
— garan (@garantinsley) January 22, 2018
I thought the Vigil at Taco Bell was all a joke until I saw it on the news 😂😂😂😂😂
— ❤️Jessie the Blerd ❤️ (@_ItsFoxxy) January 22, 2018
But others, not so much.
Soooo montgomery held a candle light vigil for the Taco Bell that just burnt down........ and it was on the news. The opening line was “some people didn’t want to taco bout it.” So today i am embarrassed to be from Alabama. 😐
— boo (@xo_mmp) January 22, 2018
When a candlelight vigil is held for a Taco Bell in your city it is time to move.
— Christen Brooks (@cbrks12) January 22, 2018
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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.

