Snow Dragon Chinese Restaurant destroyed in early-morning fire
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
(Greg Knight/Messenger Photo)
EPHRAIM—An early-morning fire Monday caused extensive damage to Snow Dragon Chinese Restaurant in Ephraim, leaving the building a total loss.
(Photo Courtesy Kirstin Caroleen Willardson)
The fire was reported at about 1:30 a.m. Aug. 10 at the restaurant, located at 413 S. Main St. Ephraim City Fire Chief Jeff Hermansen said he was notified while responding to a structure fire call on the south end of the city that the restaurant was involved.
When firefighters arrived, heavy smoke and flames were coming from the attic on the north or east end of the building.
“The building was pretty much fully engulfed on that side,” Ephraim firefighter Jack Gillett said.
Hermansen said firefighters initially made an interior attack in an effort to knock down the fire. However, the fire was concentrated in the attic and produced intense heat.
“We didn’t really have an idea what we were fighting,” Gillett said. “It was hot.”
Ephraim Fire Department responded with two engines and a ladder. The Manti Fire Department was called in to provide backup.
Power and gas service to the building were shut off as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Firefighters eventually withdrew from the building after determining it was unsafe to continue interior operations.
No injuries were reported.
(Photo Courtesy Tiffany Alder-Bown)
Hermansen said the building was determined to be a total loss.
The restaurant has served Chinese food to local residents and Snow College students for nearly two decades. The building is owned by Charles and Theressa Alder, while the business is owned by the Lin family of Ephraim.
Current management declined to comment on the fire.
In a 2021 social media post, former manager Annie Lin described Snow Dragon’s connection to Snow College students and the Ephraim community.
“We see quite a few Snow College students dine here,” Lin said in the post. “I’ve seen students from Japan, China, Hong Kong and even Macau.”
Lin also described her appreciation for Ephraim’s small-town atmosphere.
“I really like the feel of small towns,” Lin said. “Everyone who comes in here to eat knows me.”
The cause of the fire remains undetermined and the Utah State Fire Marshal will continue to investigate the blaze.