TOP STORY OF THE DAY: Bad situation averted when BCPD and BCFD work together to put out fire

Wednesday, February 9, 2022
BRAZIL CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT SUBMITTED - Brazil City Fire Department's equipment and firefighters are pictured on the scene at Tuesday night's fire at Pappy's Barbeque and Traditions Banquet Hall.

On Tuesday evening, a Brazil City Police officer noticed heavy smoke while on patrol and reported a fire at a local restaurant, averting what could have been a bad situation.

Brazil Fire Chief Jake Bennett confirmed to The Times that Patrolman Casey Harder was on Church Street, noticed excessive smoke, and tracked it down to the alley behind Pappy's Barbeque and Traditions Banquet Hall.

Harder reported the smoke was coming from the rear of Pappy's around 9:29 p.m.

IVY JACOBS PHOTO - A picture from the parking lot behind Pappy's Barbeque and Traditions Banquet Hall Wednesday morning. A fire was discovered by a Brazil Police officer Tuesday night around 9:30 p.m.

When BCFD officials arrived on the scene, the officer in charge assessed the rear of the building and found the smoke was actually coming from the area of Traditions Banquet Hall.

The fire engine was directed to the front of the building, where firefighters forced entry at the front door to find the building filled with smoke.

Bennett said firefighters stretched a water line into the rear kitchen area, where most of the heat could be felt. They found a fire along the back wall of the kitchen area.

IVY JACOBS PHOTO - A sign on the door to Pappy's Barbeque and Traditions Banquet Hall to alert people both businesses will be closed "until further notice," but the owners are anxiously waiting to reopen.

It was determined the fire originated in a smoker filled with meat. A fire had gotten out of the smoker, involved a large trash can, and traveled up the wall.

Bennett said the heat had been building up under their vent hood in the kitchen area. The fire did significant damage to their smokers and kitchen area. But it did not extend past the hood or ceiling area.

Firefighters had to remove smoke from the building, but Bennett said the situation could have been a lot worse.

"They did a great job of getting it contained quickly and using a minimum amount of water to prevent further damage," Bennett said about the on-duty crew of Assistant Chief Toby Archer, Raymond Staub, and Cody Garrison.

The electricity was shut off at the breaker panel, and the owners have contacted their insurance.

"Any time we have a fire in these multistory downtown buildings, it's a big deal," Bennett said. "There are many void spaces and areas for fire to spread quickly, and we can have trouble in more than one business or building. Our operations went well. We had off-duty firefighters respond to assist and bring the second engine and the aerial if we needed those apparatus."

No injuries were reported.

On Wednesday, a closed sign was on the business doors alerting people the businesses would be closed "until further notice" while cleaning up after the fire.

Travis Vinzant, an owner, said the public has been very supportive, many stopping by to show their support Wednesday.

"All of our electric smokers were damaged in the fire," said Vinzant, who is anxious to open again. "We are waiting on the insurance now. As soon as we know more, we will post it on our Facebook page."

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