Tucson firefighters rescued a man found sleeping inside an abandoned taqueria that caught fire early Thursday, officials said.
The predawn blaze at the former Taco Mesquite, near West Grant and North Oracle Roads, was put out in less than 12 minutes by 26 firefighters who responded, Tucson Fire Department said in a news release.
Numerous 911 calls reported heavy black smoke coming from the building just before 6 a.m.
"Upon entering the building, firefighters found a male sleeping on the floor and the room was filled with smoke and fire," the news release said.
"Without a quick response from #TFD this would have been fatal," the department said in a Twitter post.
The man who was not harmed, appeared to be a homeless person in his 40s, said TFD spokesman Capt. Andy Skaggs.
Cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Officials are investigating the possibility that the fire was sparked by the man's efforts to try to stay warm.
A damage estimate was not immediately available.
