No foul play in Las Fuentes building fire

Since the devastating fire at Las Fuentes on Monday, December 7, rumors about town have been flying as to what the cause was.

The Wyoming State Fire Marshall and the Department of Criminal Investigation were both in town the following morning examining the scene of the blaze as well as talking to potential witnesses.

According to Thermopolis Police Chief, Julie Mathews, the cause of the fire has been determined to be a fryer that was unattended, became very, very hot, and was identified as the source of the ignition.

There is no foul play in the case and all avenues of suspects and information have been conducted and concluded.

Owners Dean and Jeanne Waltz had announced on December 4 that they were selling the business and their last day would be December 19.

The buyers were named as “a family who runs other Mexican restaurants in Wyoming.”

There are unofficial reports that the family may have entered into an agreement to purchase another local property.