Seventeen fire companies, from Pennsylvania and Ohio, were called in to help fight a blaze at a Lawrence County bowling alley and restaurant. They spent 7 hours battling the blaze, and smoke could be seen from nearly 10 miles away.
Flames broke out Saturday morning at the Parkstown Lounge and Restaurant in Union Township just outside of New Castle on Route 224.
Fire officials tell us an employee, getting ready to open the restaurant for the day, saw the flames shooting from the kitchen. When firefighters arrived, smoke was already pouring from the building. "It started out, we got a call as a structure fire. The Chief came on the scene and saw that there was smoke showing. The fire was in the kitchen at that time," said Patrick Angiolelli, President of the Union Township Fire Company. Officials say the fire started in the kitchen's ventilation hood.
The quick thinking by firefighters saved the apartments next door. Crews tore down a roof connecting the restaurant and the office of the apartments, which ultimately stopped the fire from spreading.
Officials also acted quickly, trying to control the blaze. They called for mutual aid from several surrounding communities. "Because of the water line that is out here, we needed more water because of the aerial units that we have. Therefore, we had to have water brought in by truck. We have surrounding townships and some other counties," said Angiolelli.
Firefighters were not only battling the fire, but temperatures below 20 and wind chills in the single digits. "Cold weather is never a good thing. We have rehab set up with coffee and food and what have you. Trying to get these guys warmed up so they don't end up getting in trouble," Angiolelli said. Even a bus from the New Castle Transit Service was brought in for people on scene to warm up.
Fortunately, all patrons were able to escape unharmed.
The Parkstown Lounge and Restaurant had been a popular business in that community for many years, now rubble and rekindling fires are all that's left. The business is a total loss. At this point, the exact cost of the damage is still unknown.
The State Fire Marshal continues to investigate.
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