Fire at W Side Restaurant Hours After Owner Dies

By Margaret Lyons in News on Jan 31, 2008 5:19PM

2008_1_31.phillips.jpg An Austin man was killed in a car crash Wednesday, just hours before his home and business went up in flames. James Phillips called 911 yesterday morning from behind the wheel, saying he was having an asthma attack. Around 10:30, he lost control of his Escalade, crashed into a pole and died. Then nine hours later, his barbecue restaurant and catering business Phillips Ribs and his home above the restaurant on 5048 W Chicago Ave on caught fire.

Police are calling the fire "suspicious" but don't know if it's connected to his death. [CBS, Trib, Trib, NBC]

An Austin austin Austin car crash CBS Chicago Chicago Ave Margaret Lyons NBC W Chicago Ave Wednesday west side

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