A dawn fire tore through the building that houses Cheers at Choto Marina on Fort Loudoun Lake in West Knoxville on Tuesday, rattling the waterfront but sparing its most vulnerable spots. Fire crews were dispatched at about 7 a.m., and no injuries were reported. Firefighters moved fast to box in the flames and shield nearby fuel and dock areas, which appear to have been saved.
Rural Metro Response
Rural Metro told WVLT that firefighters arrived after a 7 a.m. call and found a structure fire at Cheers at the Choto Marina. According to the agency, the restaurant building took the hit, but the gas pump and boat slips were protected, and there were no reported injuries. WVLT carried the first official details on the incident.
Choto Marina And The Lake
Choto Marina's website describes the property as a full-service marina on Fort Loudoun Lake with wet slips, a fuel dock and an on-site restaurant, according to Choto Marina. The facility promotes a ship's store and boating amenities that help make it a popular stop for recreational boaters, which helps explain why firefighters zeroed in on protecting the fuel and slips. The marina also notes it is minutes from downtown Knoxville, underscoring its place in the local boating scene.
What Comes Next
Officials have not yet released a cause of the fire, and there was no immediate word on when the restaurant might reopen. Rural Metro provided the initial information to WVLT, and the marina had not posted a public statement by mid-morning. This story will be updated when county investigators or the business release additional details.
