by Mark Cheffey
A West Quincy, Mo. landmark was destroyed by fire Thursday evening.
Fireman hose down one of the few things left of the Mississippi Grill in West Quincy that burned down last Thursday evening. (Photo by Tylor Osborne)
Palmyra Fire Protection District crews were called at 6:45 p.m. to the scene of the old Mississippi Grill, which has not been in business for decades and has fallen into disuse, but it was beyond saving, according to Fire Chief Gary Crane.
“All that’s left are a couple of walls. We just wanted to keep the fire from spreading,” he said, noting wind could have spread the fire to nearby convenience stores and other businesses.
The fire also damaged two parked vehicles at the site.
Crane said his crews received mutual aid from departments around the area, including Quincy, Tri-County (Ill.), LaGrange and Ewing.
Crane said the fire may have been sparked by a rubbish fire nearby.
The Mississippi Grill was once a popular eating place in West Quincy, but hasn’t been open since the flood of 1993, when a barge broke free of its moorings and ended up on the property next to the grill.
“I remember going there to eat when I was a kid,” Crane said.
Crews were on the scene for about three hours.
