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WAYNESVILLE — The fire that heavily damaged the Der Dutchman Restaurant Wednesday was accidental and caused approximately $1.5 million in damages, fire investigators said.
The Division of the State Fire Marshal released its report today and then turned the charred restaurant over to its owners and insurance adjusters.
The center portion surrounding the kitchen area in the restaurant was destroyed with a large portion of the roof caving in after flames shot through it. Flames could be seen shooting 50 feet in the air when firefighters arrived at the 22,000-square-foot facility located on U.S. 42.
More than 20 employees and 30 diners were in the restaurant when the fire started in the kitchen around 9:20 a.m., according to fire officials. The restaurant was serving breakfast at the time.
The fire started in a chicken roaster in the kitchen, fire investigators said.
Jaime Schaffer, a head server, said employees tried to put the fire out with extinguishers and thought they had the flames put out when it reignited and spread.
“Flames were shooting to the roof,” Schaffer said.
Patrons in the building, which can seat 760, were evacuated before smoke entered the dining room and fire crews arrived, according to Greg Zemore, the restaurant’s general manager.
Everyone was able to escape without injury.
“The staff reacted well and they did what they could do,” Zemore said. “We don’t know what damages there are. We’ll see what the future holds for us... we’re just in the dark right now.”
The fire rekindled in the afternoon, but firefighters were able to knock it down with water.
“We’re very fortunate to have several fire hydrants nearby for a fire this size,” Wayne Twp. Fire Cpt. Glen Beach said. “It helped us to have a good water supply.”
More than 60 firefighters from seven fire departments helped fight the fire.
“Fighting fires in your hometown is tough. The Der is a fine establishment. It’s hard to see them have a fire like this,” Beach said.
The restaurant did not have sprinklers and was not required by law. The facility used fire walls to protect separate rooms from flames, according to Wayne Twp. Fire Chief Paul Scherer.
Zemore said his wallet and financial documents were retrieved from his office and they had no water or fire damage.
Located at 230 N. U.S. 42 in Waynesville on the banks of a mill race, Der Dutchman is a family-style restaurant that also sells baked goods and novelties in an adjacent store. The restaurant promotes Amish style cooking, such as fried chicken and baked pies and has a popular Saturday morning breakfast buffet.
In the summertime, the restaurant has popular tourist events including buggy rides and serves as a community center for several annual events including a sauerkraut cooking competition prior to the Sauerkraut festival.
The restaurant is owned by Dutch Corp. which operates several Der Dutchman restaurants in the region.
Zemore said the restaurant employs 102 people and has the capacity to hold 336 in the dining room plus an additional 400 in the banquet room.
According to tax records, the office and retail area were constructed in the early 1970s with the main restaurant portion built in 1991.
The restaurant, valued at a little more than $2.5 million according to tax records, is a major economic driver in Waynesville and Warren County. The restaurant paid $52,435 in property taxes to the county in 2009.
“It’s a loss to our community, hopefully they can get back on their feet quickly,” Beach said.
This is the second fire to destroy a restaurant in the village in the past decade. McDonald’s on Main Street was destroyed in September 2005.
A fire on April 7, 1900, leveled all the buildings on Main Street from North to Chapman streets. The fire destroyed all of the village’s records.
“The community is in mourning with the Dutch Corp. and the staff. The restaurant is a regional landmark. Everyone knows where it’s at. People come from all over the tri-state area to visit. It provides a lotof jobs,” Village manager Bruce Snell said.
“We look forward to seeing it up and running again.”
Zemore said people who have booked receptions at the facility can call (513) 897-3791 to find out more information.
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