Restaurant Owner Returns to Work Weeks after Suffering Burns

LONGVIEW — Three weeks after being badly burned in an explosion in his catering trailer, Dudley’s Cajun Café owner Dudley Lang returned to work Friday — his spirits lifted by what he says has been an “outpouring” of support from his patrons. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Doctor’s orders, however, are keeping Lang from getting back in the kitchen as he recovers from his injuries. “I missed it,” Lang said of working at his restaurant. “It’s great to be back. We’ve got great employees. My wife and our front-end manager have both done a good job while I’ve been gone. But it’s great to be back.”

Lang was injured in a flash fire Oct. 27 after he tried to light a pilot light on a burner in his restaurant’s catering trailer. He was the only person inside the trailer, and he was able to put out the fire before calling 911. Lang had to be airlifted to the burn unit at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, where he was treated for first- and second-degree burns and one third-degree burn on his arms and body. The hospital released him shortly thereafter, and Lang has been recuperating at home. “I’m healing ahead of schedule, about two weeks ahead of schedule,” Lang said. Dudley’s Cajun Café, which started operation in 1992, remained open for business throughout Lang’s recovery. He insisted.

While Lang was able to sneak into the restaurant for a few days this past week, Friday was his first day back full-time. Lang said he was glad he could see his regular customers again. Lang said he especially wanted to thank the first responders who arrived after he called 911.