'Red Lives Matter': Crestview businessman thanks firefighters

A July 29, 2014, fire at Buddy's View BBQ burned through the trailer's metal skin and damaged its south end. Friday, pitmaster Naaman Eicher will serve free barbecue to Crestview firefighters to thank them for saving the business by their fast response.

CRESTVIEW — For the second year in a row, a local pitmaster will express his gratitude to Crestview firefighters who saved his fledgling business from a fire.

Naaman Eicher, owner of Buddy’s View BBQ, will offer local firefighters free barbecue lunches Friday in gratitude for their quick response to a July 29, 2014, fire that delayed his planned Aug. 1 opening.

“It reached 900 degrees in there quickly, but they popped that door open and charged in,” Eicher said. “They risk their lives every day and the public doesn’t give much thought to it sometimes.”

Though the fire damaged one end of the trailer from which his business operates in the Waterfront Mission parking lot, most of the unit was saved.

After a several-month delay, Buddy’s View opened later that year.

“Red Lives Matter and particularly fire department personnel and members of the Crestview Fire Department that risk their lives every day,” Eicher said.

Eicher said the public is invited to attend the noon lunch and meet — and thank — Crestview firefighters. Free BBQ hot dogs will be served to the public.

“Those guys will always have my appreciation,” Eicher said of the firefighters.

WANT TO GO?

What: Red Lives Matter BBQ lunch

Where: Buddy’s View BBQ, 1975 Ferdon Blvd. S, in the Waterfront Mission parking lot

When: Noon July 29

Notes: Free barbecue lunches for Crestview Fire Department personnel; free BBQ hotdogs for the public

What: Red Lives Matter BBQ lunch

Where: Buddy’s View BBQ, 1975 Ferdon Blvd. S, in the Waterfront Mission parking lot

When: Noon July 29

Notes: Free barbecue lunches for Crestview Fire Department personnel; free BBQ hotdogs for the public

WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Red Lives Matter': Crestview businessman thanks firefighters