Locust Grove Community Reacts To Downtown Fire

Three historic buildings, including a popular diner, in downtown Locust Grove are gone, destroyed by fire.

Now, the town is trying to figure out where to go from here.

Several people say that DJ’s Diner was a staple in Locust Grove for more than 20 years and that it is sad to see it go, but many say they believe the town will come back stronger than ever.

“This was the hottest little hamburger joint in town,” said area resident Judy Gibson.  “It’s been there for so long.  The town is going to miss it.”

Gibson say her family used to own the building where DJ’s Diner is.  She says she was in Sand Springs with her son, who is a firefighter, when she found out about the fire.

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“His dad called him and told him we needed him back, and he said the town was on fire,” recalled Gibson.

She says as soon as she saw the flames, she immediately thought of last year’s fire in downtown Wagoner.

“After seeing Wagoner go and now Locust, it’s sad,” she said.

Firefighters say the fire started in an abandoned bar before spreading to a vacant building, then to the diner.

Many people say they heard an explosion after the fire started and rushed to help.

“Everybody is rallying around already,” said Locust Grove Mayor Carl Close.  “We just have to wait and see what the fire marshal says and go from there.”

Mayor Close says several people gave firefighters water and ice and says it goes to show that the owner of the diner had an impact on the town.

“The owner helped out the community in so many ways,” said Close.  “She sponsored the football team.  She would help shut-ins delivering food.”

“I don’t know that it will ever be built back, but they will rally around the owners and be there for them,” declared Gibson.

“It’s a great town, great community,” stated Close.  “I’m sure we will bounce back from this.  It just hurts to see this.”

The state fire marshal is investigation the cause of the fire.