Two-thirds of the Orphan Smokehouse at 1829 South Pine on the south side of Centralia is on the ground following a fire discovered by a passerby just before midnight Thursday night.
Centralia Fire Captain Blake Perez says the Centralia Public Works Department was eventually called in to knock down the walls of some of the front two-thirds of the building after the roof had fallen in to allow for the remaining fire to be put out. The back three-story portion of the building was mostly saved from the fire but did receive some smoke damage.
The Centralia Fire Department cleared the scene around 8:30 Friday morning.
The State Fire Marshal’s office was called in to investigate the fire which remains under investigation.
There was no one in the building and no firefighter injuries were reported.
Upon arrival at the scene around 11:50 Thursday night, Perez says the Centralia Fire Department found a working structure fire and called in all available city firemen and the Centralia Protection District to the scene and Sandoval to standby at the downtown Centralia fire station. When the amount of fire became clear, the fire was upgraded to Box Level one, with Salem called and Sandoval moved to the scene with Odin Firemen responding to cover the Centralia Station.
The situation was complicated when a commercial fire alarm was received at the Kaskaskia Workshop. Odin Firemen responded from the Centralia station and Salem was diverted to assist. Both departments moved to the Orphan Smokehouse after it was determined there was no fire at the workshop building. The Kell Fire Department responded to man the Centralia Downtown Station in the event of another fire.
Flames burn through the Orphan Smokehouse Restaurant. Photo by TIm Ferguson.
A Centralia firefighter keeps a stream of water on the fire. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Heavy fire and smoke pour out of the Orphan Smokehouse building. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Centralia uses an aerial truck to reach flames shooting from the roof of the large Orphan Smokehouse building. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
