IDAHO CITY -- A popular store and restaurant in Idaho City, Donna's Place, burned to the ground Wednesday morning.
Unfortunately, it's not the first time. The owners were forced to rebuild after a devastating fire in 2004. Now, another blow to the community for the second time in six years.
"I don't know what else you'd call it, but bad luck. It's not good, a big loss for the community," said Idaho City Fire Chief Terry Teeter.
"I couldn't believe it," said Skip Myers, who's wife owns Donna's Place. "As I came down the highway, I first thought it was across the street, the whole block was burning, but I guess it was just the glow. And, when I got here, this whole building was burning to the ground, and... hard to handle."
It took six fire trucks to extinguish the flames that reached nearly 150 feet. Teeter says the fire likely started in the kitchen area, although they don't know the exact cause yet. The building is a complete loss.
"I don't know what we're going to do, and I don't know when we're going to start talking about what we're going to do... I'm devastated," said Myers.
Larry Edwards is an employee at the store, "I just don't know how to deal with something like this. I've never been through anything like this in my life. I don't know how Skip and Donna are dealing with this, second time this has happened to them."
But it's not just taking a toll on the owners. The loss affects the entire community, and the 10 employees who must now find work.
"It was my livelihood... ya know, it was all I did," said Edwards.
Another Donna's Place is set to have a grand opening next month in Placerville. Myers said he's not sure yet if he'll rebuild in Idaho City.
State fire investigators were on the scene Wednesday morning. Teeter says they will determine the cause of the blaze, along with a representative from Myers' insurance company.
