Fire Causes Heavy Damage to Owensboro (KY) Lab, Restaurant

James Mayse – Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.

A Tuesday morning fire caused heavy damage to an East Parrish Avenue restaurant, prompting the Owensboro Fire Department to call in additional units to fight the blaze and provide coverage to the rest of the city.

The fire at Niko’s Italian Cuisine, 2200 East Parrish Ave., was the equivalent of a two-alarm fire, OFD Battalion Chief Steve Leonard said.

In addition to the fighting the fire, crews were also subjected to extreme cold, requiring department leaders to switch out fire crews, Leonard said.

The fire was reported at 4:55 a.m. at the restaurant, which is located in The Springs complex. When firefighters arrived, the fire had already spread into the attic, and had extended across the length of the building, Leonard said.

“It literally involved every inch of the attic,” Leonard said.

The building contains both Niko’s and Owensboro Health Specialty Laboratory. The building is owned by Owensboro Health, with Niko’s owners renting space there.

Leonard said fighting the fire was difficult because the building has a metal roof.

While fighting the blaze, “we had a team of firefighters who had a portion of the ceiling collapse on them,” Leonard said.

“They were pushed to the floor” by the falling ceiling,” Leonard said.

One firefighter was transported to Owensboro Health to be evaluated for possible injuries.

No employees were in the businesses at the time of the fire, Leonard said.

Extra units were called in to fight the fire, including additional engines and a second ladder truck. Other firefighters were called in to provide fire coverage to the rest of the city while the various units were at the fire.

“I was impressed with the firefighters,” Leonard said. “They stayed out in the weather and did what they were supposed to do. They did an outstanding job and worked as a team.

Leonard said the restaurant sustained heavy fire damage, and both the restaurant and Owensboro Health Specialty Laboratory sustained smoke and water damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but fire officials believe the fire did not start in the kitchen, Leonard said. The fire is not considered suspicious in nature.

Brian Hamby, marketing director for Owensboro Health, said officials were still examining the property Tuesday morning.

“It’s too early to tell,” Hamby said. “We have not had the opportunity to assess the damage and ascertain what has taken place.

“We definitely extend our thoughts to Niko’s,” Hamby said. “They are good tenants and have a long history in Owensboro. We definitely wish them recovery as well.”

Hamby praised the firefighters who battled the early morning blaze.

“We are grateful for the fire department and for all of their help,” he said.

© 2025 the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.). Visit www.messenger-inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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