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Post by chriscank on Feb 8, 2006 11:50:25 GMT -5
Schnitzle's and Daniels' Bar burned down this morning, along with the rest of the complex. I am still aquiring article, Millet just told me and sent this picture.
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Post by chriscank on Feb 8, 2006 11:51:46 GMT -5
Bush House collapses, fire contained By Pete Bosak pbosak@centredaily.com
As the historic Bush House in the heart of downtown Bellefonte burned and collapsed to the ground, Centre County Commissioner Chris Exarchos shook his head.
"The landscape is going to change forever," he said.
Hundreds of onlookers gathered to watch as firefighters from much of Centre County battled the flames that early this morning began consuming the former hotel, now home to Schnitzel's Tavern and other businesses. At 10 a.m., Bellefonte Fire Chief Tim Knisely said the fire was contained.
Built in 1868, the Bush House, in its heyday, was one of several opulent hotels that anchored downtown Bellefonte. More recently, Schnitzel's Tavern, with its patio offering seating to diners on the banks of Spring Creek, was a local gathering place.
Bellefonte Police Chief Shawn Weaver said the fire was reported to 911 at 6:55 a.m., and two police officers were on the scene within about a minute. At that point, he said, smoke could be seen billowing from the eves at the top of the building.
The officers, he said, tried to find out if anyone was inside, banging on doors and trying to sound an alarm. All the doors they tried were locked, he said.
"That's a pretty good indicator no one was in there," Weaver said.
Firefighters soon arrived and went inside the building looking for anyone who might be in there, said Bellefonte Fire Chief Tim Knisely. At that point, smoke was billowing from all sides of the building. Firefighters found flames on the first and second floors that were rapidly spreading to the third and fourth floors, he said.
They conducted a search as best they could until the situation became too hazardous, Knisely said.
"Then we had to back out, because the fire was spreading too quickly," Knisely. "We had to pull our people out before anyone got hurt."
By 8:30 a.m., fire had eaten a hole into the side of the building, and within an hour, most of the structure had collapsed into itself.
Still standing precariously was a corner of the building nearest the intersection of High Street and state Route 150. A portion of West High Street nearest the rubble was closed, and will remain so until the portion of the building still standing collapses or is torn down, said Bellefonte Police Chief Shawn Weaver.
"If that comes down, bricks will fly like shrapnel," Weaver said.
There was concern about the possibility of the portion of the structure that was still standing collapsing into Spring Creek, which runs alongside the building. Firefighters were aiming five streams of water at the structure, hoping that if it collapses, it the rubble would be pushed onto the hotel or onto High Street, rather than falling into Spring Creek.
Representatives of the state Department of Environmental Protection and the state Fish and Boat Commission were on the scene.
The cause of the fire was not known, and officials said that because of the hazard posed by the rubble, it may not be possible to begin their investigation until Thursday.
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Post by Bill on Feb 8, 2006 13:17:02 GMT -5
WTF!!!!
This is a real tragedy. That was one of my favorite places in bellefonte!!!!
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Post by DrCank on Feb 8, 2006 13:21:22 GMT -5
One of your favorite places? what else is there to like in bellefonte.
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Post by Bill on Feb 8, 2006 13:52:21 GMT -5
the courthouse
;D
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Post by DrCank on Feb 8, 2006 14:55:15 GMT -5
yeah and actually the movie theatre is preatty cool also
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Post by chriscank on Feb 8, 2006 17:12:56 GMT -5
Let's not forget the best chinese buffet in centre county!
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Post by Joe on Feb 18, 2006 0:29:28 GMT -5
I love to feed the ducks in the park...
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