1930 Texas Smokehouse damaged by fire, re-opens tonight

PERRYVILLE, Mo.(KBSI) — A Perryville restaurant is recovering after a fire broke out behind the 1930 Texas Smokehouse overnight, but fire crews say quick response prevented further damage.

Assistant Fire Chief Garrett Schott said firefighters were dispatched to 105 North Jackson Street, where they arrived to find an outdoor cooker fully engulfed in flames and a propane tank venting from the heat.

“We began fire suppression. We had a propane tank that was venting off due to the heat. We cooled that down,” Schott said.

The flames spread into an overhanging roof, but crews were able to keep the fire from causing major structural damage inside the building.

“We found that the fire did enter an overhanging roof. We were able to suppress that with minimal damage to the building itself. We did have water damage inside,” Schott said.

Crews called a second alarm to bring in additional help, and to give firefighters relief from the intense heat. One firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat related issues but was later released and returned to the scene.

“The heat was a little problem for us,” Schott said. “The guys did great. Everybody, all the neighboring agencies that came in did an outstanding job.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation but is believed to have started in the area of the cooker.

Schott said the outdoor cooking area was destroyed and there is smoke and water damage inside, but no official damage estimate yet.

Despite the fire, the owners of the 1930 Texas Smokehouse say they will reopen for drinks and appetizers Friday evening and plan to offer a limited menu to help raise money to rebuild.