A fire broke out early on August 14 at The Lighthouse Inn in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, destroying the historic restaurant, which had been in operation since 1912 and was the second oldest in the state. Firefighters responded to the blaze after a passerby reported smoke and flames; fortunately, no one was inside at the time. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Linn County Sheriff's Office. Meanwhile, in St. Paul, a fire severely damaged the former Ngon Bistro, which was about to reopen as Khue’s Kitchen, a new Vietnamese restaurant by chef Eric Pham. The fire occurred late on August 11, leaving the building condemned, while Pham expressed his disappointment over the loss of his investment and the restaurant's legacy. Both incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the restaurant industry amidst unforeseen disasters.