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Clear skies. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable..

Clear skies. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable.

A friend comforts Kim Medley (right), owner of Annie’s Grill, while various fire departments work to keep the fire under control. The photo was taken at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

One of the challenges firefighters faced was the building's metal ceiling and a metal roof.

“The fire was up between the ceiling and the roof, which made it really hard to get to,” said Dent County Fire Chief Brad Nash.

Officers from The Salem Police Department were the first on the scene at the Annie's Grill fire July 19.

When The Salem News arrived on the scene at 9:47 a.m., the Dent County Fire Department appeared to have the fire under control. However, the fire flamed up again considerably.

Kim Medley, owner of Annie's Grill, asking Fire Chief Brad Nash to convey her thanks to all of the firefighters.

A friend comforts Kim Medley (right), owner of Annie’s Grill, while various fire departments work to keep the fire under control. The photo was taken at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Annie’s Grill at 903 W. Scenic Rivers Blvd. burned Tuesday (July 19) in what the Missouri Division of Fire Safety investigator later classified as an accident, according to a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS).

The Salem News contacted the DPS Thursday afternoon to inquire about the cause of the fire. DPS sent its official response via email later that afternoon.

“The Division of Fire Safety investigator was not able to eliminate the restaurant’s smoker as the cause of the fire. The fire has been classified as accidental,” the email stated, regarding the Annie’s Grill fire.

The fire started at the west end of the building where the aforementioned wood smoker and wood fire grill were located.

Officers from The Salem Police Department were the first on the scene at the Annie's Grill fire July 19.

The fire started before 9:30 a.m., according to Pam Whitaker, who was inside the building when the fire started. Whitaker was alone in the building preparing for the business’ opening for the day.

Whitaker told The Salem News that her first instinct was to move toward the thick black smoke because that’s where her phone was, but she soon realized that it would be too dangerous.

“I went to the other end to get out through the [main entrance],” said Whitaker. “That’s when the police officers had arrived and I unlocked the door and came out,” she said. Whitaker said that she’s not sure who called to report the fire, but police officers arrived on the scene at 9:33 a.m., which was later confirmed by City of Salem Police Chief Joe Chase. Also, according to Dent County Fire Chief Brad Nash, the Dent County Fire Protection District received the alarm call at 9:31 a.m. and was on the scene by 9:36 a.m.

When The Salem News arrived on the scene at 9:47 a.m., the Dent County Fire Department appeared to have the fire under control. However, the fire flamed up again considerably.

When The Salem News arrived on the scene at 9:47 a.m., the Dent County Fire Department appeared to have the fire under control. However, the fire flamed up again considerably.

The Salem News spoke with Nash on the scene of the fire. At that time, Nash said he wasn’t sure about most of the details yet, but he did point out that one of the challenges the crew faced fighting the fire was that the building had a metal ceiling and a metal roof.

“The fire was up between the ceiling and the roof, which made it really hard to get to,” said Nash.

One of the challenges firefighters faced was the building's metal ceiling and a metal roof.

“The fire was up between the ceiling and the roof, which made it really hard to get to,” said Dent County Fire Chief Brad Nash.

Nash said that, given the hot and dry weather conditions, other departments were called for assistance. Assisting Dent County Fire Protection District on the fire were Rolla Fire and Rescue, Rolla Rural Fire and Lenox Rural Fire.

Nash also stated that the Salem Police Department, City of Salem Electric Department, Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Highway Patrol and others all played parts in helping mitigate further damage caused by the fire.

The fire was officially deemed under control at 2:26 p.m. and, according to Nash, his crews were back to the station at 2:57 p.m.

The Salem News spoke with Annie’s Grill owner Kim Medley at the scene at approximately 12:30 p.m. while firefighters were still working to get the fire under control. Medley said that she was reeling from the shock of losing the business.

“I haven’t cried like this in years,” she said.

“It’s been really hard on her,” said her husband, Bryon.

“I’m so glad that nobody was hurt,” she said. “I’m thankful that we weren’t in the middle of the lunch rush. Some of our customers have a hard time getting around and it would have been hard for them to get out.”

Medley also pointed out that the building was almost definitely a total loss, though she was glad to see that one of her signs on the building appeared to have survived the fire.

Medley said that it’s a horrible feeling seeing her livelihood go up in smoke.

“I don’t know how we’re going to pay our bills,” said Medley.

The Salem News asked Medley if she knew what would come next.

“I don’t know, I’ll have to rebuild or something,” she said.

Medley said the business was partially insured and, according to her, those funds would be nowhere near enough to cover the cost of rebuilding.

Medley said that she believes she has let down the community’s love and support.

“The community has helped us get through COVID and staffing shortages…” Medley trailed off. “It’ll be okay. God always works things out for us.”

Kim Medley, owner of Annie's Grill, asking Fire Chief Brad Nash to convey her thanks to all of the firefighters.

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