Martin fire officials say blaze at Damron’s began in BBQ pit area

MARTIN, Tenn. — Fire officials say the blaze at Damron’s Barbecue and Meat Company appears to have began in the restaurant’s pit area and that no outside investigation is needed.

The business was closed at the time of the fire, and no adjacent businesses were damaged despite being less than six feet away, according to Martin Fire Department Chief Jamie Summers.

Summers said the pit area, a nearby room and the roof sustained most of the fire damage. The restaurant area also sustained smoke and water damage.

The call came in around 6:45 p.m., and the department responded with 19 firefighters and two pumper trucks, a ladder truck and a support vehicle, according to Summers.

Damron’s has been in business in Martin for 40 years with 32 of them at the current location, according to the owners.