MILLER COUNTY, MO. -- Authorities are investigating the fire that destroyed a lake area restaurant and apartments.
Lake Ozark Fire Department was on the scene today with the Fire Marshall investigating where the flames started at Camp Bagnell Restaurant and how.
The restaurant is a historic and popular destination for lake area visitors.
It's motto: where people have been having fun since 1981.
But where you use to be able to sit and enjoy a steak or some famous catfish, you find charred walls and seats.
Rick Bemis works in the restaurant and is the campground manager, he said in the hours since the fire the community has come together .
"Oh, a bunch," Bemis said. “There's been just regular customers showing up, and getting pretty upset."
Now Rick Bemis and others close to the restaurant are trying to salvage whatever they can for when Camp Bagnall is rebuilt.
"I don't think there's any words for it, when you think so much of the place and the people that are here," camper Paula Cary said. "I hope they get back in business right away."
For Bemis Camp Bagnell is his home away from home and said nothing will keep him away.
"If I wasn't at home, I was here," Bemis said. "Yeah, I'll be back, if they rebuild it, I'll be here."
The restaurant and apartments were a total loss from the fire.
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