A popular Jeffersonville riverfront restaurant was destroyed in an overnight fire Tuesday after flames rapidly spread from what was initially reported as a trash fire.
According to the Jeffersonville Fire Department, crews were originally summoned about 1:18 a.m. on Dec. 30 to a complaint of a dumpster or trash fire behind the Cluckers restaurant on West Riverside Drive. Firefighters arrived within minutes and found the fire had intensified, with flames already involving the structure.
Deputy Fire Chief Mike McCutcheon said the situation escalated quickly, and the call was upgraded to a full structure fire shortly after crews arrived. Strong wind gusts and subfreezing temperatures complicated firefighting efforts, causing water to freeze almost immediately and making containment more difficult.
The building ultimately collapsed as crews worked to control the blaze. Firefighters continued monitoring hot spots for several hours after the fire was knocked down.
Between 10 units and more than two dozen firefighters responded to the scene, with additional mutual aid provided by Clarksville and New Albany fire departments to maintain coverage elsewhere in the city.
No injuries were reported, and officials confirmed the restaurant had been closed at the time of the fire. Nearby buildings were not affected.
The precise cause of the fire has not yet been identified by investigators. According to McCutcheon, it is still unknown if the fire started within the building and went outward or if it started in the dumpster area and spread to the building. Although the investigation is still underway, officials do not think the fire was started on purpose.
Cluckers representatives acknowledged the loss in a social media post Tuesday, thanking first responders and expressing gratitude for community support. The Jeffersonville location was one of five Cluckers restaurants and a longtime fixture along the Ohio River, known for hosting crowds during major waterfront events and festivals.
“Situated in the heart of historic downtown Jeffersonville, it offered stunning views of the Ohio River, where countless guests enjoyed cold beverages, great food, and unforgettable moments,” they wrote. “From the excitement of RiverStage concerts and Abbey Road on the River at Big Four Station Park, to the joy of Holiday Parades down Spring Street and the spectacular Thunder Over Louisville air shows with their breathtaking fireworks, this location created memories that will remain with us forever.”
Fire officials noted that the collapse of the building may make determining the precise origin of the fire more challenging.
This article appears in Dec. 1-31, 2025.