re: Friends in Madisonville fire

I live in Madisonville and you hear things on the river and around town, but I've always taken it with a grain of salt. All of the "info" I've heard was well past 2nd hand.

The structure flooded about 42" deep during Isaac, based on personal observation, by looking at an interior waterline through a window. Right after the storm, I heard that the owner's had 12 months of business interruption insurance and that they were in no particular hurry to renovate and reopen. I also heard that they were trying to build a new restaurant w/ a couple condos/townhouses on top, but had problems with height restrictions. I believe a revised restaurant only plan had been approved. Allegedly, demolition was to begin today.

There was a gathering of people on the top deck yesterday afternoon. I assume it was a farewell/good riddance party.

I don't know if the property has changed ownership in the last year. I do know that the new structure was to be larger - higher, if not necessarily a larger footprint.

In my opinion, it would be phenomenally stupid for the owners to get involved in arson and insurance fraud, but who knows? If I had to guess, it was kids screwing around or a improperly disposed cigarette. If some kind of accelerant was used, those dogs will find it. The place is still smoldering, but there were several vehicles labeled arson or fire investigation parked at yhe site when I went by this morning.