An early Saturday morning fire has destroyed Dee-Jays Custom Butchering in Fredericktown, Ohio. A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support the business owners.
According to a Facebook post by the Fredericktown Community Fire District, a passerby noticed the flames and called 911 at approximately 2 a.m. on April 26. The fire district responded promptly and found the building fully engulfed in flames.
The post further states that multiple mutual aid departments were requested to assist with manpower and water supply. Over 50,000 gallons of water were used to control the blaze. The fire district expressed gratitude for the assistance from neighboring departments.
A GoFundMe page reports that more than $5,300 has been raised from 22 contributors towards a $9,000 goal to aid Mike and Jenny Jessee, owners of Dee-Jays.
"This dire loss is felt most deeply by Mike and Jenny and their family, but it's also a great loss for Fredericktown as well. Dee-Jay's has been an upstanding pillar of the community and an integral business in Knox County for a long time," said Autumn Purdy, who organized the fundraiser.
According to Dee-Jay's website, the business has operated at 17460 Ankneytown Road, Fredericktown since 1978. Mike and Jenny Jessee acquired it from its original owners in 1993. Their daughter Dorinda (Jessee) Kline and her husband Jeff Kline have joined them in running the business. Dee-Jays has received Grand and Reserve Grand Champion awards from the Ohio Association of Meat Processors.
