Fire Contained at Rib Country in Clay County, No Injuries Reported

(Photo courtesy of the Clay County Fire and Rescue Facebook page.)

Clay County Fire and Rescue swiftly responded to a potential commercial structure fire at Rib Country, a well-known local restaurant, on Tuesday, Sept.3. The incident occurred around 4:20 p.m. when smoke was observed emanating from the building, triggering an immediate response from multiple emergency services, including Clay County Fire and Rescue, Clay County EMS, the Clay County Sheriff's Office, and the Clay County Fire Marshal.

Upon arrival, emergency personnel found smoke and flames visible on the roof of the restaurant. Fire Chief Brian Anderson quickly declared a "Working Fire," initiating a coordinated effort to control the situation. Thanks to the prompt actions of both the restaurant staff and first responders, the building was evacuated swiftly, 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," Chief Anderson stated. He explained that the fire appeared to have originated from an electrical issue with the main sign on the roof. Firefighters quickly secured the power and worked to suppress the flames.

The fire was successfully contained to the exterior of the building, specifically the roof sign where the electrical malfunction occurred. Although some smoke entered the restaurant, there was no fire damage inside, and the structure of the building remained unharmed. The primary damage was confined to the sign.

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