A Labor Day fire that gutted the Farmer's Feed Mill Restaurant and Farmer's Quality Meats has closed both businesses indefinitely.

Leitchfield Fire Department was called out to the family-owned business at 7:19 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1.

According to Winston Davis, owner, the fire started in the attic of the building. The cause appeared to be electrical, but investigation is continuing, Fire Chief Ronald Hudson said.

For more than two hours, firefighters battled the heavy smoke and heat that filled the building.

One firefighter succumed to heat exhaustion and was transported by Grayson County EMS to Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center.

Chief Hudson reported the firefighter was treated and released and back to work Tuesday morning.

"These holiday fires are hard," said Davis. The Farmer's Processing Plant at South suffered a fire on New Year's Day in 2002.

He expressed gratitude for all the customers and friends who are lending a helping hand. Davis said rebuilding the business will depend on structural damage and the insurance company.

The devastation comes only one week before the opening of Farmer's second restaurant in Mount Washington.

Also responding to the fire were Grayson County EMS, Leitchfield Police Depart-ment and Grayson County Sheriff's Office.