BELLE — The State Fire Marshal’s Office at on Feb. 13 confirmed a Feb. 7 fire at Rector Radiator Repair is under criminal investigation.

According to Mike O’Connell, director of communications for the Department of Public Safety, the nature of the fire is suspicious.

“It means that the fire is suspected of being a case of arson and remains under investigation,” O’Connell said when asked to define “criminal investigation” as it pertains to this case.

Rector Radiator Repair, located at 110 Belle Avenue, Belle, was declared a complete loss as well as all property on site, according to owners Gary and Cathy Ridenhour.

Cathy Ridenhour said on Tuesday morning that the fire is still under investigation, though she was scheduled to meet with an insurance adjuster at 10 a.m. to determine damage.

“They think it started in the office is the way I take it,” Cathy Ridenhour said, adding that no one has said it straight. “As greasy and dirty as the shop was, I thought it would have started there.”

Cathy and Gary Ridenhour were sleeping around 4:04 a.m. on Feb. 7 when their granddaughter knocked on the door and told them the business was on fire.

“I was told the call went out around 2:45 a.m.,” Cathy Ridenhour said. “Someone went by and said iit was burning and reported it to the Belle Police Department. Doug Rector (the original owner of the business) saw flames coming out off the office doors and windows. We are still waiting for answers.”

The Ridenhours had four vehicles locked in the bays, including one of theirs, one owned by Tanner and Kelsey Hinson and two more that belonged to customers.

“We have insurance and are trying to get our insurance to pay for the customers’ vehicles,” Cathy Ridenhour said.

Gary and Cathy Ridenhour, who are both in their 70s, have already announced the business will not be reopening.

“We aren’t going to build another business,” Cathy Ridenhour said. “We are too old.  We will have the property cleaned up.”

Gary Ridenhour added, “We hate it because the business is gone.”

People from Jefferson City, Vienna, Belle, Hermann and so many other towns brought their vehicles to Rector Radiator to be fixed.

“There was a lot of need for a radiator repair shop,” Cathy Ridenhour said. “I’d like for someone to open it back up as a radiator repair shop.”

Belle Fire Protection District responded to the early morning structure fire last Wednesday. Mutual aid was provided by Owensville Fire Department, Bland Fire Protection District, Linn Fire Protection District, and Vienna Fire Protection District. Osage Ambulance District provided standby services while firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.

“We sincerely appreciate all of the help,” Cathy Ridenhour wrote Feb. 8 on her Facebook page. “We are so glad no one was harmed, and thankful to the firemen who always put themselves first for the safety of our communities.”

The Ridenhours purchased Rector Radiator Repair on May 31, 2019, from Justin and Erica Smith. The Smiths purchased the business Oct. 2, 2017, with plans to expand it into a radiator and automotive shop. However, the business was originally established around 1982 by Doug Rector.

“It is with sadness to say we will not be reopening, and we thank our clients for their past business and support,” Cathy Ridenhour announced on Feb. 8. “We will miss all of you.”

Ridenhour said they are waiting on the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

“We just can’t believe this has happened,” she said.