CORYDON, Ind. — A southern Indiana community has raised thousands of dollars support a beloved Mexican restaurant that caught fire over the weekend.

El Nopalito in Corydon was forced to permanently close after a massive fire started in the restaurant’s kitchen on Saturday, Aug. 30.

The owner, Raul Velasco, said all he saw was thick smoke billowing out from his restaurant.

“Everything was burned down inside,” he told WHAS11. “I started crying.”

Velasco’s son said many of their family members worked at the restaurant. Thankfully, no one was injured.

In the aftermath of the fire, Corydon resident Kirsten Hellmer organized a GoFundMe alongside Velasco to support the restaurant’s staff.

“I’ve gotten to know Raul better over recent months and watching this happen to such a nice person is h

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