FREDERICKTOWN — When Jenny and Mike Jessee pulled in the driveway, they were in disbelief.
As fire shot out of the roof of Dee-Jay’s Custom Butchery & Processing, the Jessees saw their over 20-year-old business suffocate in flames.
“I just felt numb,” Jenny said.
According to Fredericktown Community Fire District Fire Chief Scott Mast, a passerby spotted flames bursting out of Dee-Jays on Saturday around 2 a.m. and called 911.
Once firefighters arrived on the scene, the building was fully engulfed.
Mast said over 50,000 gallons of water were used to bring the fire under control, and surrounding fire departments assisted Fredericktown firefighters.
Mast said later that the cause of the fire is under investigation with the State Fire Marshall’s Office assisting.
(Below is a gallery of Dee-Jay’s Custom Butchery on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Credit: Grant Ritchey/Knox Pages.)
Jenny said she’s not sure what the next steps are after the fire, as insurance is currently assessing the damage to the lost building.
Dee-Jay’s Custom Butchering and Processing has been in Fredericktown since 1978, Jenny said while standing outside her business.
In 1993, Mike and Jenny Jessee purchased Dee-Jays Custom Butchering & Processing from the former owners. They worked at the company before the purchase.
Before purchasing the business, Mike and Jenny both worked there, spending over three decades at the business.
According to its website, the Ohio Association of Meat Processors has awarded Dee-Jay’s Custom Butchering and Processing several Grand and Reserve Grand Champion awards since 1993.
Jenny also said their operation supplied meat to Cleveland and Columbus area restaurants.
A GoFundMe fundraiser is trying to boost the Jessees, which you can find here.
“We pick up the pieces and go from there,” Jenny said.