On July 15 at 6:04 p.m., Maryville Police Department and Maryville Fire Department responded to reports of a vehicle fire spreading to nearby structures on 626 Condry Lane, Maryville. An F150 truck owned by Foothills Flooring company — one of the two businesses renting out of the affected complex — had caught on fire, according to a report from MPD. Unfortunately for neighboring restaurant Thai Cuisine, the truck had been parked in front of their main entrance, and the fire began to overtake an awning directly overhead.
“We were really fortunate to be closed,” Glenn Makin, one of the two owners of Thai Cuisine said in a phone interview. “It was on a Monday, so we were closed and no one was hurt.”
Although none of Thai Cuisine’s employees or patrons were injured, the same could not be said for the building itself. In addition to the visible external damages, the interior ceiling, carpet and walls suffered enough damage to require replacement. Thai Cuisine’s front door had to be removed completely. The awning will likely need to be torn down before it can be replaced, and none of this can happen until an adjuster comes out to inspect the damages and give an estimate for damage valuations.
A Facebook post made by the restaurant’s owners the evening of the fire claimed it “could be a month before it’s all replaced and cleaned.” Building owner and leaser, Donald Heinrich, remarked it would “take some time” considering the extent of the damage to the restaurant’s interior. He also clarified that Foothills Flooring had suffered damages as well.
Fire season
Maryville Police and Fire Department Chief Crisp reported that they had been “pleased” to get through the Fourth of July without any major incidents, but that the department had been concerned with how dry it had been lately.
“When it’s dry like this, we urge residents to use extra caution,” said Crisp.
When asked about the fire on July 15, Crisp explained that the dry weather likely didn’t cause the vehicle to catch fire, but could contribute to a faster spread once the fire began.
“Vehicle fires have no rhyme or reason,” said Crisp. “People need to treat them the same as house or structure fires, though. Exit, move away and call the Department. Let us take care of it.”
Firefighters have not yet identified the fire’s cause.
Fortunes
Glenn, who co-owns Thai Cuisine with wife Gina, reflected on the couple’s fortunes while they wait for insurance claims, evaluations and repairs.
Glenn, who’s been open about his health issues on Facebook, remarked that the fire “didn’t do my stress levels any favors,” but he was still feeling healthier than he had before his first surgery earlier this year. He was concerned with the fire, but reiterated time and again during the phone interview that “we will be okay.”
Their other business, Thai Bistro in Loudon, is still open and serving a steady stream of customers, and the outpouring of support on social media following the fire at Thai Cuisine makes Glenn confident that their eventual reopening will be a successful one.
“We’re working to get back up as fast as we can, with all the same chefs and dishes, and we’re lucky to have such a good business and good people that are willing to wait on us,” said Glenn.
Glenn said he would post status updates to the restaurant’s Facebook page.
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