Fire destroys Dexter Bar-B-Que offices

DEXTER, Mo. -- An early morning fire Sunday destroyed the offices of Dexter Bar-B-Que on Harris Drive in Dexter, the Daily Statesman reported. The Dexter Fire Department was summoned at 5:08 a.m. Sunday. According to fire chief Don Seymore, the building was about one-third involved when his crew arrived on the scene. Seventeen firefighters battled the fire until nearly 10 a.m., using three pumpers and an aerial unit. The business is owned by Bruce and Kathy Vancil of Dexter, longtime owners of the local Dexter Bar-B-Que, with restaurants also in Sikeston, Mo., Cape Girardeau and Jonesboro, Ark. Records for all the businesses were kept at the local office which Seymore said was a total loss. The fire is believed to have started in the front portion of the building. A warehouse in the rear of the building housed restaurant supplies. The cause of the fire has not been determined.