No signs of arson found in fire that destroyed landmark central Arkansas restaurant

July 19, 2017 at 3:39 p.m. | Updated July 20, 2017 at 4:30 a.m.

by Gavin Lesnick

Richard Gilliam looks over the remains of the landmark after it burned early Tuesday. Gilliam grew up in the area and once worked at the restaurant.
Richard Gilliam looks over the remains of the landmark after it burned early Tuesday. Gilliam grew up in the area and once worked at the restaurant.

Authorities have concluded an investigation into a fire that destroyed a popular restaurant outside Little Rock that operated out of a 100-year-old former general store, finding no signs of arson.

The cause of the May 29 fire that destroyed Cotham's Mercantile in Scott remains unknown, but no evidence suggested it was intentionally set, the Pulaski County sheriff's office said in a news release Wednesday.

[PHOTOS: A look back at Cotham's Mercantile in Scott through the years]

Click here for larger versions
Photos by Emma Pettit

The sheriff's office said deputies "followed up on leads and spoke to people" during a "lengthy investigation," noting that the case has now been closed.

The restaurant, which was about a 20-minute drive from the state Capitol, became a frequent stop for politicians over the years, including Bill Clinton and David Pryor, both former governors. The eatery was known for its large hubcap burgers and for the 1917-built general store that housed it beginning in 1984.

Upcoming Events