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Blaze destroys McDonald’s in Bonner Springs

By Joshua Roberts - | Jan 7, 2004

Ronald McDonald was scheduled to visit the McDonald’s fast-food restaurant in Bonner Springs after a renovation project was finished. Now, he’ll have to wait.

On Dec. 30, a fire destroyed the McDonald’s restaurant at 606 S. 130th St., causing an estimated $800,000 in damage. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Chief Warren Hanks of the Bonner Springs Fire Department, said the blaze is believed to have originated in the roof and attic area.

Patrick Manning, a McDonald’s marketing manager, said another restaurant will be built at the location.

“We plan to build a bigger and better restaurant at the same spot,” Manning said. “It’s a very busy store and we know the community certainly enjoyed it.”

The restaurant, which averaged enough business to rank in the top half of McDonald’s restaurants in the Kansas City, Kan., area, was approaching its 20th anniversary in Bonner Springs. It opened Dec. 20, 1984.

If all goes well, Manning said, a new restaurant could be complete by June or July.

Firefighters from the Bonner Springs, Fairmount Township and Kansas City, Kan., fire departments were dispatched to the fire about 8:02 p.m. Thursday.

Hanks said the fire is believed to have originated on the north end of the restaurant’s roof. The fire chief reported crews from Marlan Construction of Lawrence, the company handling the restaurant’s renovation, had done hot tar roof work and welding earlier that day.

Manning said the company has done two previous renovation jobs for McDonald’s and that it’s too early to place blame for the fire.

“They’ve done two other renovations for us and have always done an outstanding job,” Manning said.

Hanks reported the blaze was under control by 9:51 p.m.

The restaurant was occupied when the fire broke out, but no customers or employees reported injuries. One firefighter received a minor injury while helping extinguish the flames.

Renovation to the restaurant began in November and was slated for completion by February.

The remodeling including adding more seating to the dining area, a new indoor play area and a new double drive-through system.