It now appears it will be mid-week before Emporia Fire’s investigation into the Coach’s Grill and Bar fire is completed.
Firefighters say they are waiting for different unspecified information points to come in before finishing their investigation. Early indications have the fire starting in the grill area, but a final determination is pending for both the origination point and the cause.
Firefighters, EMS and local law enforcement was alerted to the fire shortly before 5 am Saturday after business co-owner Brett Kessler said restaurant staffers noticed smoke on a security camera, headed to the building and tried unsuccessfully to put the fire out. It took Emporia and Americus firefighters over two hours to get the fire out. The walls were left standing, but there was massive damage to the interior and much of the roof caved in.
Nobody was hurt.
Noon Saturday: Investigation underway following destructive fire at popular restaurant in west Emporia Saturday morning
Cause, origination point and full damage estimates are all pending after a destructive fire at a popular restaurant in west Emporia Saturday morning.
Emporia Fire Fighters and local law enforcement were called to 2702 W. 15th Ave. shortly before 5 am after being contacted by restaurant owners. Coach’s part-owner Brett Kessler tells KVOE they became aware of the possibility of a fire after checking a security camera feed in the early morning hours and seeing smoke inside the restaurant.
He says they rushed to the establishment and attempted to locate and extinguish the flames, however, the smoke in the building became too intense forcing them to exit the restaurant and contact the Emporia Fire Department. Battalion Chief Ryan Conley:
The cause and origination point are currently under investigation by Emporia Fire. Conley tells KVOE News the damage was extensive both inside the restaurant and to the roof.
Thankfully no injuries were reported as no one was inside the business at the time of the fire. Emporia Fire was assisted by Lyon County Deputies and Americus Volunteer Firefighters.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more information as it becomes available.
8:45 am Saturday: UPDATE: Firefighters quell destructive fire at Coach’s Grill and Bar; Damage estimates/cause still pending
Fire crews have managed to tame a destructive early morning fire that has severely damaged a popular Emporia eatery.
Firefighters were called to Coach’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar at 2702 W. 15th Ave. shortly before 5 am for a structure fire inside the business. Owners tell KVOE News they first discovered the fire on a security camera in the early morning hours and rushed to the restaurant where they attempted to locate and extinguish the fire themselves.
After the smoke became to intense, the owners called Emporia Fire. According to Battalion Chief Ryan Conley, active flames and thick smoke were visible on the south end and roof of the building upon their arrival.
Americus firefighters were called in as secondary aid and it took crews nearly two and a half hours to get the flames under control. A cause has yet to be determined, however, initial indications are that the fire started in the grill area.
Damage estimates are pending, although there have been reports that portions of the roof may have collapsed in.
KVOE has reached out to Emporia Fire and restaurant owners for additional comment and perspective. Traffic was blocked on West 15th for roughly two hours from Stanton to Trail Ridge as crews battled the flames.
Traffic has since been restored, however, both of the Flint Hills Mall entrances on 15th have been barricaded at this time.
No injuries were reported.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more information as it becomes available.
6:50 am Saturday: Emporia Fire battling structure fire at Coach’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar Saturday
Emporia Fire and Lyon County Deputies have had an active morning Saturday due to a structure fire at a popular Emporia restaurant.
Crews were called to Coach’s Grill and Bar at 2702 W. 15th Ave. shortly before 5 am after business owners arrived at the restaurant and saw smoke coming from the building. Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Conley says there was active fire upon their arrival on the south side of the building and the roof.
Additional details including a cause and damage estimates are currently pending. No injuries have been reported.
Traffic has been blocked on West 15th Ave. from Stanton Street to Trail Ridge Road. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more details as they become available.
