
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 4, 1994                   TAG: 9404040118
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NO ONE SERIOUSLY HURT IN SALEM NIGHTCLUB FIRE

Firefighters say it is remarkable that no serious injuries were reported after a roof caved in on a dance floor and an intense fire destroyed Mixers Restaurant & Lounge in Salem just before midnight Saturday.

Approximately 75 people were inside the nightspot at 2072 Apperson Drive when the fire broke out and flames quickly engulfed the restaurant. Captain Ronnie Perdue of the Salem Fire Department said eyewitnesses told of hearing an explosion before the roof collapsed.

"After we received the call, I could see flames in the sky from a mile away," Perdue said. "I knew then that we were going to have to call in additional help."

The cause of the fire was still undetermined Sunday night and an investigation was ongoing, Perdue said. Fire investigators did find evidence of a possible explosion, he said.

Perdue said 20 firefighters from three fire companies fought the blaze into Sunday morning.

by CNB