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No one was reported injured in the blaze, but the building was heavily damaged and will likely need to be torn down, according to Spring Valley Twp. Fire Chief Rusty Cross.
The fire started around 4:30 a.m. in the kitchen area. Flames destroyed the rear of the business, which offered hot breakfast, lunch and dinner options in addition to gasoline and convenience store items.
Cross said getting to the heart of the fire was difficult.
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“Eventually we had to pull the backhoe in and pull the roof off so we could get to it,” Cross said.
The gas station is the only one in the Spring Valley area and its frequented by nearby residents and commuters traveling U.S. 42 between Xenia and Waynesville.
Cross said the owners plan to rebuild and reopen at the location.
Resident Patrick Mahaffey said the business is important to the community and it will be “detrimental until they get it back up and running.”
“It’s packed after work. It’s packed at lunch. It’s packed in the morning before work. Everyday,” Mahaffey said.
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