Multiple emergency crews responded to a fire that destroyed the iconic Stuckey’s restaurant in Nelson Friday night.
According to reports, flames engulfed the Stuckey’s restaurant, Dairy Queen and gas station in Nelson off of I-70 Friday night, forcing the interstate to temporarily close.
The fire reportedly started on a stove in the Dairy Queen kitchen.
Blackwater Area Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Tanner Fahrendorf said the first call came in around 7:20 p.m. The fire was fully involved when firefighters arrived and before firefighters could extinguish the fire it had spread to the attic and roof.
No injuries were reported.
A total of nine agencies responded, with 56 firefighters in total.
The Blackwater Area Fire Protection District got the initial call. Fire Departments Boonville, Columbia, Concordia, Cooper County, Pettis County, Saline County and West Centralia assisted.
One Pettis County firefighter was treated on the scene for heat exhaustion battling the fire. Fahrendorf said the firefighter was treated at the scene and not taken to a hospital.
I-70 Westbound was closed past Exit 89 and Route K North/Blackwater at mile marker 90.2 and was reopened just after 10 p.m. once the fire had been contained.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Saline County Sheriff’s Office assisted with traffic control.
Fire crews were still on scene as of midnight.