Cape Supply blaze ruled accidental

The state fire marshal's office has ruled that the Aug. 18 fire that destroyed the Cape Restaurant Supply Building on Morgan Oak and Frederick streets was an accident.

Cape Girardeau fire marshal Mike Morgan said that the state's report confirms what local firefighters suspected -- that the fire was accidental. However, the damage was so severe that it is impossible to say what caused the fire, Morgan said.

The five-alarm fire destroyed the building owned by Ted McClellan of Cape Girardeau. McClellan has been able to continue running his business from another location.

Morgan said that because of a backlog at the state level, it has taken until Wednesday to get the results of the fire marshal's investigation.