Colony businesses hit by blaze

By Steven Schwartz
Iola Register – December 5, 2013
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – December 10, 2013

When Roger Young woke up to a fire alarm early Wednesday and ran outside to see the Colony Diner ablaze, one thought went through his mind.

“This can’t be happening,” he said.

The diner–along with Colony Foods and the dinner’s convenience store–was engulfed in flames. Responders from the Anderson County Communication Center arrived on the scene at approximately 4:25 a.m. to battle the fire, which according to the official report, had completely engulfed the three buildings.

Young is a part-owner of the diner, along with Gary and LaNell Knoll, and lives down the street in Colony. The Knolls declined to comment on the situation until the investigation was completed by the fire marshal.

Crews worked to sift through the rubble on Wednesday morning, as the pale light shined through the empty space where the interior of the buildings had been. Young sat in his truck surveying the salvage efforts. He said the main diner section was destroyed, but he had yet to see if any of the convenience store could be salvaged.

“It’s not a good thing,” he said with a shake of his head.

He said the Colony Diner is a central hub for people in town, especially as the lone restaurant in the community. He said there will be plans to rebuild the space as things move forward. The business was fully insured.

“I’d like to rebuild, the community really appreciates it,” he said. “I need to get my employees back to work before Christmas.”

He and the Knolls purchased the diner from Ed and Nancy Ellington in December 2012, and have been managing it ever since.

Young said the community was shocked to hear of the news, but has been supportive in the hours after the blaze. Even in a situation as grim as a destroyed business, Young made a point to reassure the patrons that have been faithful to the Colony landmark over the years.

“We’re still here,” he said. “We aren’t going anywhere.”

As of publication, the Kansas State Fire Marshal was conducting the investigation of the fire, and no details have been released beyond the facts of the report from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.

Fire crews from Iola and surrounding areas assisted in the firefighting efforts.