The St. James McDonald’s sustained major roof and ceiling damage Tuesday during an afternoon fire at the restaurant located at 108 N. Outer Road.

At 4:47 p.m., a customer coming in for dinner informed Manager Joyce Matchell, that there was smoke coming out of the roof of the facility. At about the same time, the employee working the drive-through made a comment that she smelled smoke.

After exiting the facility Matchell, too, saw the smoke coming from about the last drive-through window and called 911.

The 15 employees and customers in the facility at the time were evacuated. There were no injuries reported.

The building suffered considerable damage. The wall murals, for which the St. James McDonald’s is known, sustained damage as well.

Barb Dillon, the Weinbaum Operations McDonald’s representative, said it was too early to determine when the facility would open again.

“We will be up and running as soon as possible,” Dillon said.

The St. James Fire Department, which was assisted by the Rolla Fire Department, was on the scene until 8:30 p.m.

According to Bruce Parton, St. James Fire Chief, the cause of the fire was a fluorescent light fixture located in the entrance on the south side of the building.

Parton gave a rough estimate of the cost of damage as at least $100,000.

McDonald’s owner, David Weinbaum said he was most grateful there were no injuries.

“I’m just glad no one got hurt,” Weinbaum said. “It seems like it started in the roof area, but this is preliminary. This is the reason we have insurance.”

The St. James McDonald’s just recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. A major renovation was planned for the St. James McDonald’s later this year.