Fire destroys five buildings in Puxico: Business Owners reflect on their loss

PUXICO, Mo. (FOX 23) — Over 10 fire crews from neighboring towns battled flames for 13 hours yesterday, leaving Puxico’s community in shock. The aftermath has left local business owners and residents with a day of remembrance they won’t soon forget.

The scene in Puxico is one of destruction: burnt string lights hanging from broken buildings, water still spraying from fire hoses, and three buildings reduced to nothing but charred brick. Among the losses is the Midway Restaurant, a family-owned business that had been a local staple.

Steve Phillips, the owner of Midway Restaurant, described the restaurant as a place where work felt like a vacation. The Phillips family had just celebrated their third successful Valentine’s Day at the restaurant before the fire destroyed it.

“It was great for our community and our region,” Phillips said. “We’d see people drive from miles away to enjoy the ambiance of the building. It’s devastating for us, our family, and the community.”

The fire left 15 employees without work. Phillips’ wife is working tirelessly to find new jobs for them.

As a 35-year veteran in the insurance industry, Phillips often tells his clients that losing a building is like losing a family member, but they must push through. Now, those words resonate more deeply as he faces the loss of his own business.

The Phillips family received some closure when the fire department offered insight into the fire’s origin. According to Fire Chief Larry Dublin, the fire likely started in a mechanical room, where electrical panels and an elevator shaft were located.

“The sparks would have been in the mechanical room, so we’re assuming that’s what happened,” Dublin said. “It gives us a little bit of peace to know what caused it.”

Dublin, a Puxico resident for over 60 years, expressed the emotional toll the fire has taken on him. “Yes, it does. It just makes you want to bring tears to your eyes,” he said. But, he added, “We’ve got to clean up and move forward.”

The fire, which destroyed five buildings, took more than a dozen hours to contain. Fire crews from Puxico, Dexter, and Bloomfield worked together to battle the blaze.

“We couldn’t have done it alone,” Dublin said, expressing gratitude for the help from surrounding areas.