Flying J damaged by fire will be rebuilt, says company

The Flying J in Matthews, Missouri burned on Jun 3. (Photo: Portageville Fire and Rescue Facebook page)The Flying J in Matthews, Missouri burned on Jun 3. (Photo: Portageville Fire and Rescue Facebook page)

The Missouri Flying J travel center that was heavily damaged by fire Sunday, June 3 will be rebuilt, according to the company.

Fire officials in Matthews, Missouri continue to investigate the cause of the fire, which occurred Sunday afternoon. A statement from the Matthews Volunteer Fire Department said damages from the blaze amounted to “a little over $4 million.”

No injuries were reported. Eight departments responded to the blaze.

A statement from Pilot Flying J said:

The Flying J Travel Center, store #671, located at 703 State (Highway), Matthews, Missouri, caught fire this weekend, causing extensive damage to the property. No one was injured during the incident, and the cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the local fire department. The location will be rebuilt and will remain closed during reconstruction.

“Our team members will be placed in other nearby stores to ensure continued employment,” said store Division Director Frank McClure, “and we are offering counseling benefits from our Employee Assists Program for those who need it.”

This was the second major fire at a truck stop in the past week. On Thursday, May 31, fire destroyed the Irish Bayou truck stop in New Orleans.