AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE ARSON AT RESTAURANT IN OLIVE BRANCH

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Investigators are continuing their probe into a late-night fire Tuesday that destroyed Miller's Family Restaurant here.

The Alexander County Sheriff's Department said Wednesday that witnesses at the fire reported hearing an explosion before the building, located along Route 3, was engulfed in flames.

The fire was reported at 11:20 p.m. Tuesday and law enforcement authorities and fire fighters remained at the scene for more than two hours.

Fire departments from the Southern Illinois communities of Horseshoe Lake, Olive Branch, Thebes and Mounds responded to the fire call.

"The building was completely gutted," said a sheriff's department spokesman. "It looks like a total loss."

The investigation revealed that someone had spray-painted a message on one of the standing walls, which stated, "We support our troops."

The restaurant is owned by Ali Abukadair, a Palestinian from Chicago, and his brother, Othman Abukadair. Othman Abukadair had served as manager of the business until recently, when he left for a visit to Israel.

Darlene Webb was listed as current manager of the restaurant.

Participating in the investigation are the Alexander County Sheriff's Department, The Illinois State Fire Marshall's Office, and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Division of the U.S. Treasury Department.