A state police fire marshal is trying to determine what caused an early-morning blaze that gutted a local bar and two row homes in Schuylkill County.
Fire officials said the fire started early Saturday morning at Moe's Pub in New Philadelphia then spread to two homes. The assistant fire chief said an elderly woman had to be rescued from one of those homes.
Now it is up to investigators to figure out how it all started.
A state police fire marshal poked through the rubble at Moe's Pub in New Philadelphia, looking for what may have caused all the damage. The New Philadelphia assistant fire chief said it will be a tough task.
"As you can see, there's nothing left to it. If it looks like the damage is bad outside, inside is three times worse," said Assistant Chief Edward Slane.
Investigators said the fire started just before 3 a.m. Pictures sent in to Photolink showed flames shooting from the windows of the building.
The fire spread to the roof and to two adjoining homes. The New Philadelphia assistant chief said an elderly woman had to be helped from one of them. Both homes were heavily damaged.
"I feel very sorry for the people who live in these houses. I know them personally and they lost everything they had. It's just unimaginable to have to experience something like that," said Theresa Konzertavage. She lives just down the block and was awakened by the fire siren. She said the early morning scene was chaotic. "I'm living in this town my whole life and I know this place. In fact, I grew up right up the street, but it was one of the worst fires I can remember in town."
Other neighbors said the building and bar had several owners over the years, but they remember the good times.
"It was pretty sad actually because there are a lot of memories there. My daughter's christening was in this building," said Pat Burns.
Now, the building is destroyed and it is up to fire crews to figure out how it all happened.
"It's too dangerous right now to do anything about it, to get in there. The safety of my firefighters is more important than the building," added Assistant Chief Slane.
A state police fire marshal has not yet determined a cause for the fire. There is no word whether the business owner or the homeowners had insurance.
Fire officials said the fire started early Saturday morning at Moe's Pub in New Philadelphia then spread to two homes. The assistant fire chief said an elderly woman had to be rescued from one of those homes.
Now it is up to investigators to figure out how it all started.
A state police fire marshal poked through the rubble at Moe's Pub in New Philadelphia, looking for what may have caused all the damage. The New Philadelphia assistant fire chief said it will be a tough task.
"As you can see, there's nothing left to it. If it looks like the damage is bad outside, inside is three times worse," said Assistant Chief Edward Slane.
Investigators said the fire started just before 3 a.m. Pictures sent in to Photolink showed flames shooting from the windows of the building.
The fire spread to the roof and to two adjoining homes. The New Philadelphia assistant chief said an elderly woman had to be helped from one of them. Both homes were heavily damaged.
"I feel very sorry for the people who live in these houses. I know them personally and they lost everything they had. It's just unimaginable to have to experience something like that," said Theresa Konzertavage. She lives just down the block and was awakened by the fire siren. She said the early morning scene was chaotic. "I'm living in this town my whole life and I know this place. In fact, I grew up right up the street, but it was one of the worst fires I can remember in town."
Other neighbors said the building and bar had several owners over the years, but they remember the good times.
"It was pretty sad actually because there are a lot of memories there. My daughter's christening was in this building," said Pat Burns.
Now, the building is destroyed and it is up to fire crews to figure out how it all happened.
"It's too dangerous right now to do anything about it, to get in there. The safety of my firefighters is more important than the building," added Assistant Chief Slane.
A state police fire marshal has not yet determined a cause for the fire. There is no word whether the business owner or the homeowners had insurance.
