VIDEO AND GALLERY: Puxico restaurant fire spreads

PUXICO — Firefighters continue to battle a fire in downtown Puxico that began at the Midway Restaurant. Reports from the scene indicated the fire has spread to other buildings on the block, including the Puxico Press.

The Midway Restaurant is owned and operated by the Phillips family. The family told Daily American Republic staff writer Jonathon Dawe the Puxico fire department was drawing water from a nearby pond. They were told this was because the water tower was critically low.

Dexter's fire department is on the scene and Puxico firefighters were seen collecting water from other pumper trucks.

The Stoddard County Ambulance was observed on scene.

A 2023 article in the DAR stated: "The Midway, located on East Richardson, is one of the town’s oldest standing buildings, rich with history and character. Built in 1920, by Dr. Levi Burris, the once three-story building was consumed by a fire in 1925 and rebuilt as a two-story building in 1926, according to Phillips."

This is a developing story. More information will be published as they become available.

Last updated 10:59 a.m. Feb. 22.