Photo: The Local Voice
Last night Oxford saw the end of an era as the old building that housed The Gin was gutted by a rapidly moving fire.
Just last week workers had started demolition on a patio that joined the building with nearby Frank & Marlee’s restaurant. A recent article in The Oxford Enterprise spoke of three interested parties (including a barbecue joint owner) wanting to purchase the property from co-owner Larry McAlexander, but no decision had been made yet by McAlexander who had set the price at $1.5 million.
No details yet on how the fire started, but an investigation is underway.
UPDATE 3/11/10: According to The Oxford Eagle, Fire marshals with the state of Mississippi and Oxford Fire Department have ruled the fire that ravaged The Gin was suspicious in nature although there’s not enough evidence to rule it arson. The fire was tracked to a 10- foot area on the west-side of the back of the building. No accelarants, such as gasoline, were found at the fire. In case it was arson, the state Fire Marshal’s Office is offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone linked to the fire. Anyone with information should contact the OFD at 232-2411 or the state fire marshal at 888-648-0877.
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