SELMA, Ore. —
UPDATE: Two apartments also fell victim to the fire that destroyed the Smoking Duck Bar & Grill, according to the Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD).
Only one of those apartments was occupied when the fire broke out, IVFD said, but the man was able to escape "with his cats."
The call came in just before 9 a.m., IVFD confirmed, and fire crews had the flames knocked down by 11 a.m.
According to IVFD, the old Smoking Duck building has housed many different restaurants over the year—including one visited by John Wayne, who was a "regular customer" while visiting a rancher friend in the area.
Clean-up of the fire continued until 3:45 p.m. IVFD where joined by Rural Metro Fire, the Oregon Department of Forestry, Grants Pass Fire, AMR, and PP&L.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, IVFD said.
(Updated as of 5:12 p.m. on Monday, July 9)
INITIAL REPORT: A structure fire broke out in Selma on Monday morning, now confirmed to be at the Smoking Duck Bar & Grill in the 18000-block of Redwood Highway.
A 911 call came in to emergency services just before 9 a.m. Photos from the scene show flames and smoke pouring from the roof of the building as fire crews combat the fire.
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) said that only one lane is currently open on Redwood Highway (US 199) as crews deal with the fire. Meanwhile, traffic continues to back up in both directions.
This is a developing story, and we will post more details as they emerge.
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