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Ilion, N.Y. —
While the cause of Saturday’s fire at Crossway’s Tavern remains under investigation, Ilion Fire Chief James Trevett on Monday said a heating unit might be to blame for the blaze that displaced five people.
Trevett said the department received the call at 3:55 a.m. and arrived at the East Clark Street establishment a few minutes later and found heavy smoke.
He said the fire started in the bar area of the tavern and spread into the ceiling of the first floor and into the second floor, and went up the chimney into the attic.
“Because the fire spread throughout the building, it took about two hours to get it under control and another two hours to put out all the hot spots,” said Trevett during a telephone interview.
He added the fire grew “floor to floor to floor.”
Fire Lieutenant Robert Fahey said the fire caused serious structural damage to the Ilion landmark that has been in the Crossway family since the 1960s.
He said the establishment suffered heavy smoke and water damage to the second floor’s three apartments, as well as smoke and water damage throughout the building.
“It was a stubborn blaze right in the center of the building,” said Fahey.
He added a restaurant worker and five residents escaped from the building uninjured.
Trevett said he is unsure if the building is salvageable. “Right now the owner is working with an insurance company to decide the fate of the establishment,” he said.
Departments from Herkimer, East Herkimer, Mohawk and Frankfort assisted the Ilion department. Also responding were Rural Metro ambulance and the American Red Cross.
Contributing: GateHouse News Service
While the cause of Saturday’s fire at Crossway’s Tavern remains under investigation, Ilion Fire Chief James Trevett on Monday said a heating unit might be to blame for the blaze that displaced five people.
Trevett said the department received the call at 3:55 a.m. and arrived at the East Clark Street establishment a few minutes later and found heavy smoke.
He said the fire started in the bar area of the tavern and spread into the ceiling of the first floor and into the second floor, and went up the chimney into the attic.
“Because the fire spread throughout the building, it took about two hours to get it under control and another two hours to put out all the hot spots,” said Trevett during a telephone interview.
He added the fire grew “floor to floor to floor.”
Fire Lieutenant Robert Fahey said the fire caused serious structural damage to the Ilion landmark that has been in the Crossway family since the 1960s.
He said the establishment suffered heavy smoke and water damage to the second floor’s three apartments, as well as smoke and water damage throughout the building.
“It was a stubborn blaze right in the center of the building,” said Fahey.
He added a restaurant worker and five residents escaped from the building uninjured.
Trevett said he is unsure if the building is salvageable. “Right now the owner is working with an insurance company to decide the fate of the establishment,” he said.
Departments from Herkimer, East Herkimer, Mohawk and Frankfort assisted the Ilion department. Also responding were Rural Metro ambulance and the American Red Cross.
Contributing: GateHouse News Service
