SULLIVAN Ind., (WTWO/WAWV) — Investigators are still looking for what caused a fire that destroyed the popular Old 41 Diner in Sullivan Wednesday evening.
“We kind of know about where the area was but we don’t know what actually caused it yet. We also got the insurance investigators coming in sometime within the next day or two. And they will help with the investigation as well,” said Sullivan Fire Chief Rob Robertson.
Some of the diner’s long-time customers are working to cope with the loss.
Mike Cox, a Sullivan resident, said hours before the fire, he was enjoying breakfast with other regulars like he’s always done for the last ten years.
“I had two eggs over-easy, bacon, I’m not a coffee drinker. I had a coke.” Cox said.
That evening, Cox’s son gave him a phone call with some shocking news.
“He called me and he said ‘dad where are you going to drink pop at in the morning’ and I said ’41 diner’ and he said ‘no you’re not, It’s on fire.’ so I went up there and she was a-burning,” Cox said.
According to Cox, he’s known the owner, Scott Day, for a long time and hopes to see the restaurant return.
“He’s always treated us real good, Scott has. Ever since I’ve been up there. I hate for his loss, so I hope he builds back up where we can have another place to go,” Cox said.
Cox said, he and his friends who would eat there everyday will now have to find somewhere else to have their meal.
“It’s always been our place to go. And now we’re kind of lost,” he said.
Chief Robertson said investigators believe the fire started in the kitchen area of the restaurant.
Sullivan restaurant owners band together to held diner employees
Kat-A-Korner and other Sullivan restaurants are holding a fish fry fundraiser from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Sullivan Elk’s Club to raise money for the Old US 41 Diner employees.
The diner and others held a similar fundraiser for Kat-A-Korner employees following a fire in November of 2018.
