VIDALIA &045;&045; The cause of a fire that destroyed McDonald’s more than a week ago is still under investigation.

VFD Chief Jack Langston said investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office are assisting in the investigation.

Investigators are conducting interviews and examining evidence before making a ruling, Langston said.

The first step in a typical investigation like this is to get into the remains of the fire and determine the origin and cause, he said.

The fire department was called to the Carter Street restaurant at 2:40 a.m. on July 4. The building was a complete loss with only portions of the west wall still standing.

Owner Lorraine Stalians said she plans to rebuild but was unsure when construction could start.

&uot;I don’t know a thing yet,&uot; she said. &uot;It is probably going to take a couple of weeks before contractors start coming in. But I don’t see any reason why it won’t be open by Thanksgiving.&uot;

The building is owned by the national McDonald’s corporation.

Several McDonald’s employees have found work at the Vidalia Wendy’s and at the Natchez McDonald’s, Stalians said. She has also employed three at her other restaurant, Lorraine’s on the Riverwalk.