Roca brothers restaurant Mas Marroch destroyed by fire

A fire has destroyed a large part of the Mas Marroch restaurant, owned and operated by the famous Catalan chefs, the Roca brothers, who are also behind El Celler de Can Roca, repeatedly recognized as one of the world's best eateries.

A total of 10 units of the Catalan Fire Brigade worked to extinguish the blaze in the restaurant located on the Pla del Marroch road in Vilablareix, just outside the city of Girona.

The fire brigade received the call at 4.33 am.

The flames destroyed the wooden dome of the restaurant and affected the warehouse at the back, an annex that served as a kitchen and one of the rooms.

Firefighters have stabilized the blaze by 7 am and are now focusing their tasks on protecting the farmhouse.

No injuries have been reported, just material damage.

Josep Roca says the chefs have woken up with "sadness, resignation, and helplessness" due to the fire.

Speaking to the Catalan News Agency, Josep Roca made it clear their intention is to rebuild the restaurant "even better than it was."

The chef said the brother were in a "mourning process" but that their "stubbornness" will recover this space "where many beautiful things have grown."

"We have already passed the phase of despair and resignation and now we are thinking about how to rebuild this space as soon as possible," he said. "For us, it is a magical space in which we have experienced magnificent things with many families. Now it is time to think about how to make this even more beautiful than it was."

Fortunately, Roca noted, the wood that forms the structure has resisted "firmly," but the fire has also burned the kitchen and a good part of the dining room.

The Michelin-starred brothers thanked the emergency services for their "speed" in putting out the flames and thanked all those who sent messages of support, as well as the team that works in the establishment.