This afternoon, Clay County Fire and Rescue swiftly responded to a report of a possible commercial structure fire at Rib Country, a beloved local restaurant. Around 4:20 p.m., smoke was reported coming from the building, prompting a rapid dispatch of Clay County Fire and Rescue, Clay County EMS, the Clay County Sheriff's Office, and the Clay County Fire Marshal.

Within minutes, emergency units arrived on the scene to find smoke and flames visible from the roof of Rib Country. Fire Chief Brian Anderson immediately declared a "Working Fire" and began coordinating efforts to bring the situation under control. Thanks to the quick actions of restaurant staff and first responders, the building was promptly evacuated, ensuring the safety of everyone inside.

"Our team's quick response and coordination were crucial in preventing what could have been a much more serious incident," said Chief Anderson. "The fire appeared to originate from an electrical issue with the main sign on the roof. Our firefighters acted swiftly to secure the power and suppress the flames."

Firefighters managed to contain the fire to the exterior of the building, specifically the roof sign, where the electrical failure occurred. While some smoke did enter the restaurant, there was no fire damage inside. The restaurant’s structural integrity remains intact, and the primary damage was limited to the sign itself.

No injuries were reported, and the damage was minimal thanks to the efficient efforts of all responding personnel. Salvage and overhaul operations were completed without any further incident, and no additional fire spread was detected.

Rib Country will remain closed for the rest of the evening, and the owners are currently unsure if they will reopen tomorrow.
We are thankful to all public safety personnel for their prompt and effective action today, which helped protect a cherished local business.

For more information and updates, stay tuned to Clay County Fire and Rescue's social media channels.