Owners of Kep’s Place in Washington have been forced to wait on cleanup and rebuilding plans, as the investigation continues into how the popular bar and grill burnt to the ground on June 28.
Gary Heider, one of the owners, along with his son and other family members, said the insurance company is still investigating the building’s contents, and it has been a slow process of waiting.
“We haven’t been given the go ahead with cleanup yet because they need estimates and bids,” Heider said. “They are trying to see if we can save the main floor first or if it’s a total loss. We’d like to save at least part of the building.”
The Heiders have estimated there is at least $600,000 worth of damage to the building at 313 Muller Road.
Washington Police Chief Jim Kuchenbecker said the building appeared to be a total loss.
Five fire departments helped fight the blaze, which was contained after three hours.
The fire is believed to have started between the kitchen and the restrooms in a hallway before gutting most of the inside of the building and spreading to the outdoor patio. A cause of the blaze is still not known.
An office in the basement that housed the building’s camera system remained mostly intact and could offer information about the cause of the blaze.
Heider said their insurance company told the bar owners sometimes it is necessary to get a third party involved to get the process moving along quicker.
“We will give it another weekend before bringing someone else in,” Heider said. “We figured it would take six to eight months to rebuild if we got going by the end of July. It’s not looking good right now.”
A spokesperson for the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Washington Police Department said the case remains open and there is nothing new to report.
A benefit for the Washington to Peoria Run for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was originally set for 4 p.m. Saturday at Kep’s Place.
It has since been moved to Knickerbocker’s Bar & Grill, 80 Sunnyland Plaza.
