A friend comforts Kim Medley (right), owner of Annie’s Grill, while various fire departments work to keep the fire under control. The photo was taken at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. The fire was officially deemed under control at 2:26 p.m. and, according to Dent County Fire Chief Brad Nash, his crews were back to the station at 2:57 p.m.
When The Salem News arrived on the scene at 9:47 a.m., the Dent County Fire Department appeared to have the fire under control. However, the fire flamed up again considerably.
Annie’s Grill on Saturday afternoon after the smoke had cleared.
Caleb Brubaker
Annie’s Grill at 903 W. Scenic Rivers Blvd. burned July 19 in what the Missouri Division of Fire Safety investigator later classified as an accident, according to a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The Salem News contacted the DPS Thursday afternoon to inquire about the cause of the fire. DPS sent its official response via email later that afternoon.
“The Division of Fire Safety investigator was not able to eliminate the restaurant’s smoker as the cause of the fire. The fire has been classified as accidental,” the email stated, regarding the Annie’s Grill fire.
The fire started at the west end of the building where the aforementioned wood smoker and wood fire grill were located.
Officers from The Salem Police Department were the first on the scene at the Annie's Grill fire July 19.
courtesy of Police Chief Joe Chase
The fire started before 9:30 a.m., according to Pam Whitaker, who was inside the building when the fire started. Whitaker was alone in the building preparing for the business’ opening for the day.
Whitaker told The Salem News that her first instinct was to move toward the thick black smoke because that’s where her phone was, but she soon realized that it would be too dangerous.
“I went to the other end to get out through the [main entrance],” said Whitaker. “That’s when the police officers had arrived and I unlocked the door and came out,” she said. Whitaker said that she’s not sure who called to report the fire, but police officers arrived on the scene at 9:33 a.m., which was later confirmed by City of Salem Police Chief Joe Chase. According to Dent County Fire Chief Brad Nash, the Dent County Fire Protection District received the alarm call at 9:31 a.m. and was on the scene by 9:36 a.m.
When The Salem News arrived on the scene at 9:47 a.m., the Dent County Fire Department appeared to have the fire under control. However, the flamed regenerated considerably.
When The Salem News arrived on the scene at 9:47 a.m., the Dent County Fire Department appeared to have the fire under control. However, the fire flamed up again considerably.
Caleb Brubaker
The Salem News spoke with Nash on the scene. He pointed out that one of the challenges the crew faced fighting the fire was that the building had a metal ceiling and a metal roof.
“The fire was up between the ceiling and the roof, which made it really hard to get to,” said Nash.
Nash said that, given the hot and dry weather conditions, he decided to call other departments for assistance. Assisting Dent County Fire Protection District on the fire were Rolla Fire and Rescue, Rolla Rural Fire and Lenox Rural Fire.
One of the challenges firefighters faced was the building's metal ceiling and a metal roof.
“The fire was up between the ceiling and the roof, which made it really hard to get to,” said Dent County Fire Chief Brad Nash.
Caleb Brubaker
Nash also stated Salem Police Department, City of Salem Electric Department, Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Highway Patrol and others all played parts in helping diminish further damage caused by the fire.
The fire was officially deemed under control at 2:26 p.m. and, according to Nash, his crews were back to the station at 2:57 p.m.
The Salem News spoke with Annie’s Grill owner Kim Medley at approximately 12:30 p.m. while firefighters were still working to get the fire under control. Medley said that she was reeling from the shock of losing the business.
“I haven’t cried like this in years,” she said.
“It’s been really hard on her,” said her husband, Bryon.
“I’m so glad that nobody was hurt,” she said. “I’m thankful that we weren’t in the middle of the lunch rush. Some of our customers have a hard time getting around and it would have been hard for them to get out.”
Medley pointed out that the building was almost definitely a total loss, though she was glad to see that one of her signs on the building appeared to have survived the fire.
Medley said that it’s a horrible feeling seeing her livelihood go up in smoke.
“I don’t know how we’re going to pay our bills,” said Medley.
The Salem News asked Medley if she knew what would come next.
“I don’t know, I’ll have to rebuild or something,” she said.
Medley said the business was partially insured and, according to her, those funds would be nowhere near enough to cover the cost of rebuilding.
Medley said that she believes she has let down the community’s love and support.
“The community has helped us get through COVID and staffing shortages…” Medley trailed off. “It’ll be okay. God always works things out for us.”
A friend comforts Kim Medley (right), owner of Annie’s Grill, while various fire departments work to keep the fire under control. The photo was taken at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. The fire was officially deemed under control at 2:26 p.m. and, according to Dent County Fire Chief Brad Nash, his crews were back to the station at 2:57 p.m.
Caleb Brubaker
Nancy Susic, an Annie’s Grill employee since March said, “God has put it on my heart to do this fundraiser, and to bring a community together.
Susic, and other Annie’s Grill employees decided to plan a fundraising event for Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Salem City Park.
“We decided to put together a fundraiser to help out with recovery or a possible rebuild,” said Nancy Susic who has worked at Annie’s Grill since March. Susic and Jess Medley (Bryon and Kim’s daughter) are putting together Saturday’s event with lots of help from family and friends.
“I personally think that a community’s small businesses need our support, and this is bringing the community together to help out a small business,” said Susic.
“With the way the country is today, we all need to stick together and work together to keep our small businesses afloat,” she said.
Susic said that devoting her time and energy to helping the Medley’s during this difficult time is a way of giving back because Annie’s Grill was her first job since moving to the area.
“I have only been in Salem since the end of January,” said Susic.
Susic, her husband and their children first came to Salem back in January and stayed at Grace Harbor homeless shelter.
“After two weeks of being there my husband was able to find a good job. We also found a good church family,” said Susic.
“In March, I saw the help wanted sign on the door. So, I filled out my application and turned it in and [Medley] called me the next day and asked me if I could start work,” she said.
“I came in and started work and have been there ever since,” said Medley.
“I love the food at Annie's and I enjoy working for Kim,” said Susic.
The Salem News also reached out to Jess Medley, Bryon and Kim’s daughter, who is helping organize Saturday’s event.
According to her, the event includes a variety of ways for people to show their support.
“We are going to have a few things going on like a cake walk, bake sale, silent auction, raffles (to be drawn at a later date to give enough time to sell tickets),” said Jess Medley.
“People will be able to make monetary donations of any amount they’d like. We’re going to have musical entertainment such as a DJ, karaoke, and most likely musical chairs for the kids,” she said.
“We will be selling hamburgers and hot dogs as main food items along with chips and possibly cupcakes—we will have water, lemonade and tea available for sure,” said Jess Medley.
“I just hope that people can come and have a good time and give whatever they can,” she said. “All proceeds go towards recovery and a possible reopening of Annie’s Grill. We’ve always had such great support from the community, I know my mom is so grateful of all our customers we had over the years,” she said.
To find out ways that you as an individual or as a business can support Annie’s Grill reach out to Jess Medley or Nancy Susic on Facebook.
Kim Medley, owner of Annie's Grill, asking Fire Chief Brad Nash to convey her thanks to all of the firefighters.
John Hewkin has been a sports fan since he was a kid. He’s played, coached and been a fan of sports. I was a sports writer for 15 years before moving back to Missouri, but to this day you will still find me in my man cave a lot of nights and weekends watching something that requires a ball.
