HOUSTON -- One of Houston's historic restaurants burned to the ground early Saturday morning. Firefighters were powerless to save Brennan's of Houston as high winds from Hurricane Ike prevented crews from dousing the flames.

The fire was reported at 12:20 a.m. By the time fire trucks arrived, the restaurant was fully engulfed. Almost immediately, fire crews went into a defensive posture to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.

A Houston Fire Department assistant chief told 11 News that two men and a 4-year-old girl were inside the restaurant at the time of the fire. The three were taken to a local hospital.

Brandon Walker, son of Brennan's general manager, said his father was among the injured.

Walker said his father suffered minor burns.

The father and daughter were in critical condition with burns to 70 percent of their bodies.

Brennan's opened in downtown Houston more than 40 years ago and constantly rated as one of the best eateries in the city.

It's a favorite spot for Sunday brunch and family celebrations.

It was only one of several fires across the city of Houston late Friday and early Saturday morning. But as hurricane force winds approached Houston, the fire department ordered a handful of fire stations to not go out and battle any blazes until the storm threat subsided.