Electrical malfunction caused Heidelberg fire

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- An electrical malfunction in the kitchen caused the fire that destroyed the Heidelberg bar and restaurant, the Columbia Fire Department said Thursday.

The Heidelberg had been closed for about half an hour when the fire was reported by a passing motorist early Monday morning. No one was injured in the fire.

Investigators determined Thursday the fire started in the ceiling above electrical breaker panels in the kitchen.

For 40 years, the bar next door to the University of Missouri-Columbia had been a student hangout. It was named for the oldest university town, Heidelberg, Germany, and decor included cozy wood booths and antique beer steins -- along with autographed Missouri basketballs and assorted Tigers memorabilia.

The Columbia Fire Department said investigators had been hampered by heat and humidity plus a swarm of honeybees that was attracted to beer and soft drinks in the bar.