According to Cape Girardeau Fire Department battalion chief Mark Starnes, the restaurant's owner called the fire department around 2:15 a.m. and reported hearing a loud pop and seeing a fire in the basement of the building. The owner lived in an apartment attached to the restaurant and sustained no injuries.
Upon arrival of firefighters, moderate smoke was coming from the first and second floors.
According to a news release, firefighters began an aggressive interior attack on a heavy fire in the basement. Units from Jackson, Scott City and Gordonville responded after a second alarm was called. The fire was contained within an hour, but due to more smoke, Starnes said the firefighters had to break through walls in several areas, and discovered another small fire in the wall of the owner's apartment on the first floor in the back of the building.
Starnes said the cause of the fire is still under investigation but the fire marshal and fire inspectors said the cause appeared to be electrical.
Two house cats were removed from the building but did not survive due to smoke inhalation.
Starnes said there is heavy fire damage to the basement, heavy smoke damage to the first and second floors and extensive damage from firefighters performing a search for the second fire, but the building has not been deemed a total loss.
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