Investigators say the fire which destroyed a southeast Iowa convenience store, gas station and restaurant does not appear to be suspicious. Late last Thursday night, a fire was reported at Laplanders which is near the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 2, about four miles south of Keosauqua.
Fire departments from four area towns battled the blaze, but the convenience store, gas station and restaurant were a total loss. No one was injured. Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office say it appears the fire started in the kitchen of Laplander’s restaurant, and there is no sign it was arson.