An overnight fire has once again struck Tops Bar-B-Q, a popular Memphis eatery on Rhodes Avenue and Getwell Road. This local landmark, which had previously suffered fire damage earlier in the year and was expected to reopen in July, faced another blaze on Sunday night, with the Memphis Fire Department arriving on scene shortly before 8:20 p.m. as detailed by Action News 5.
The latest incident, which caused an estimated $13,200 in damages, originated in an outdoor grease trap and despite the building being unoccupied and under construction at the time of the fire, it has now been compounded with an arson investigation as no suspect information has yet been released and no working smoke detectors were found at the site this wasn't the first experience with fire for Tops Bar-B-Q locations in the city.
Subsequent to the fire, the Memphis Fire Department has preliminarily determined the cause of the fire to be arson, as reported by FOX13 Memphis. Amid the structural damage, fortunately, no injuries were reported, and firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control.
The Rhodes Avenue location of Tops Bar-B-Q is familiar with fire disruptions, having been closed earlier in February due to fire stemming from mechanical issues related to its HVAC system, and with another Tops Bar-B-Q in Frayser reopening eight months after its own blaze caused by a mechanical issue it seems that the renowned chain has been particularly beleaguered by fire-related setbacks across its branches in recent times.
As investigations continue and the local community awaits the reopening of this beloved barbecue joint, updates on the situation are expected to be provided by the fire department and the restaurant authorities.
