FORT DODGE, Iowa --
The Mineral City Mill & Grill in Fort Dodge was destroyed by fire early Sunday morning.
Firefighters were called to the restaurant at 2621 5th Ave. S. when a cleaning crew spotted the fire at about 3:30 a.m. They tried to put the fire out themselves but called for help when they were unsuccessful.
Capt. Mitch Sells said when they arrived, flames were shooting out of the roof. He said crews did their best to battle the fire, but they eventually had to leave the inside of the building for their own safety.
"The roof was falling in so we pulled them out," Sells said. He said the heating and cooling units on the roof came crashing down.
Firefighters continued to pour water on the fire to keep it from spreading, but Sells said the building was a complete loss.
"The decor inside was all wood, all exposed wood, so once the fire got going, all the fuel was there just to have the whole thing go," said Fort Dodge fire Capt. Paul Nesson.
Shannon Crouse's boyfriend worked at the restaurant.
"It was very popular," Shannon Crouse said. "People in Fort Dodge are really bummed."
The building was considered a total loss. Crouse said the owners have already started talking about rebuilding it. The owners also own two other restaurants in Fort Dodge.
Investigators were still on the scene late Sunday morning. Sells said the fire appears to have started in the kitchen and he doesn't suspect foul play at this time.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
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