Popular local eatery damaged by fire

Regular customers at Boone and Dauben's Drive-In, 515 S. National Ave., will have to find an alternative gathering place for awhile. A blaze broke out in the building Saturday morning, causing smoke and fire damage to the interior. Although firefighters responded and dealt with it quickly, the fire has forced the business to close, at least temporarily.

Investigators have not determined the cause of a fire that swept the inside of Boone and Dauben's Drive-In Saturday.

Fire creeped through the inside of the restaurant, a popular gathering place at 515 S. National Ave., spawning smoke and heat damage throughout the building, officials said.

Officials are not ruling out the possibility of foul play, and the investigation is ongoing, Lt. Shaun West said. However, they found "no indication of criminality" in their initial investigation.

Teresa Weidman, the owner, called for help at 6 a.m. Saturday after showing up for work and noticing heavy smoke pouring from the building, according to the fire department's incident report.

When firefighters entered the building, they saw smoke and flames. They had the blaze under control in about 15-30 minutes, according to the report. Eight firefighters and three trucks battled the blaze.

A monetary toll of the damages has not been determined as of press time.

There were no injuries to bystanders, but firefighter Daren Hutchison injured his leg after he stepped in a hole in the floor, into the crawlspace below. The hole wasn't caused by the fire, FSFD Capt. Paul Ballou said. Smoke filled the facility, making it hard for firefighters to see when walking through the place, Ballou said.

Hutchinson was not rushed to the hospital, but he later had the injury checked out on his own, he said.