Fire destroys Mining Camp Restaurant in Apache Junction

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. (KSAZ) - "We've had a lot of people be married here... just last weekend for their anniversary," Jake Whitten said.

Jake Whitten grew up at the Mining Camp Restaurant because his grandparents are the owners, but he's not the only one who says the eatery was a huge part of their life.

Dave Karl has performed at Mining Camp for the past three years and says he's speechless that it's no longer standing.

"It was a place that was filled with a lot of fun... everybody knows each other and just a lot of fun," he said.

Fire crews still don't know what sparked the early-morning blaze that took down more than just a restaurant, but a piece of Apache Junction history.

Jake says although devastated, he's most thankful no one was hurt in the fire.

"It's going to effect a lot of people, and our family as well and our neighbors," he said. "The important thing is that everybody got out."

Even though the loss is still fresh, Jake says reconstruction is on the mind.

"That's our first though is we want to rebuild," he said.