Early morning fire renders White Castle restaurant a 'total loss'

No one was injured after a fire ruined a Cape Girardeau White Castle restaurant early Monday morning, a fire department official said.

Four Cape Girardeau Fire Department stations responded to a blaze at 12:57 a.m. at the restaurant on Siemers Drive, said Fred Vincel, a battalion chief and shift commander for the department. The four engines and one ladder truck remained on the scene until 2:28 a.m. All told, about 19 firemen worked the call, with Jackson and Scott City departments helping cover other Cape Girardeau needs.

The fire caused extensive smoke damage throughout the building and fire damage at the point of origin, according to Vincel. Preliminary leads indicate that the fire started in the kitchen area, but the cause is still under investigation. No one was inside the building when it caught fire, Vincel said.

The state fire marshal was called because the fire happened at a commercial building, said Ivan LaGrand, fire inspector for the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

Battalion Chief Mark Starnes said that because of its lightweight construction, the restaurant is considered a total loss.

The restaurant will remain closed unless or until it is rebuilt or receives extensive renovations.

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Pertinent address:

102 Siemers Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.