Fire damages cafe, store at park

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Monte Fuller, superintendent of Devi’s Den State Park, leads a tour Friday of the Civilian Conservation Corps building at the park. The building had damage from a fire Thursday evening that forced closing of the Ridgerunner Cafe and associated gift shop. Visit nwadg.com/photos to see more from the scene.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Monte Fuller, superintendent of Devi’s Den State Park, leads a tour Friday of the Civilian Conservation Corps building at the park. The building had damage from a fire Thursday evening that forced closing of the Ridgerunner Cafe and associated gift shop. Visit nwadg.com/photos to see more from the scene.

WEST FORK -- A popular cafe and store in a historic building at Devil's Den State Park could be closed to the public for months after catching fire Thursday evening, state park officials said Friday.

"The really unfortunate thing is, it's a historic building that's 80 years old," said Tim Scott, state park assistant superintendent.

Civilian Conservation Corps

The Civilian Conservation Corps, the “Tree Army” of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, began building at Devil’s Den State Park in the 1930s during the Great Depression. The area has been designated a National Historic District and holds what has been called the most complete example of CCC park architecture.

Source: www.arkansasstatepa…

No one was hurt in the blaze at the Ridge Runner Cafe and Store. The building, along with the nearby Lee Creek dam and other park structures, was built in the Depression era by the Civilian Conservation Corps in a tree-filled valley near the park's central hub.

The building was evacuated after an employee smelled smoke and called 911 at 5:30 p.m, Scott said. Volunteer firefighters from Strickler, Boston Mountain and West Fork fire departments fought the blaze.

The fire caused severe interior damage, especially in the kitchen where it started. The roof above the kitchen had a large, jagged hole, but the rest of the exterior looked untouched Friday. Soot coated the inside from ceiling to floor, releasing a powerful campfire smell, while melted plastic from light fixtures and clocks hung like cave stalactites in the store area.

"We really have no answer for how long it's going to take" to fix it, said Monte Fuller, park superintendent. "It just makes you sick."

Fuller said he hopes to have the pool next to the building opened in time for Labor Day weekend. The bug spray, food and other supplies usually sold in the store can be purchased at the park's visitor center. Scott and Fuller said they'll also look into other ways to make sure customers' needs are met.

The fire won't affect camping, hiking or paddle-boating in the park, which abuts a segment of the Ozark National Forest.

"There's so much to do here besides the store," Fuller said. "We're OK, and it's going to be rebuilt. You just have to be patient."

An insurance representative hadn't yet inspected the building for structural damages by 1 p.m. Friday, Scott said. No cost estimate was available.

The fire marshal investigated Thursday night, and the cause remains unclear, Scott said. Washington County Fire Marshal Dennis Ledbetter didn't return a message for comment Friday afternoon.

The park is designated a National Historic District area and has "what has been called the most complete example of CCC park architecture," according to the Arkansas State Parks website.

Fuller said he hopes to rebuild the interior to be closer to its original design and get back to its former glory.

NW News on 08/29/2015

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