Firefighters from a dozen communities were called overnight to a piece of Mercer County property that was the scene of a deadly fire a dozen years ago.
The Hitch 'N Post Bar and Grille was destroyed by flames early Monday.
The first firefighters from the Sheakleyville Volunteer Fire Department arriving on Hadley Road shortly before 1 am found flames coming through the roof of the bar, according to Assistant Fire Chief Jim Tuchek.
Eight fire departments from Mercer County and four from Crawford County were dispatched to help battle the flames.
Hadley Road was closed in the area until 4 am.
Fire Chief Tim Buck says no one was injured. He says the state fire marshal is expected to arrive this morning to determine the cause of the fire.
The bar is on the same piece of property as the former Otter Creek Hotel and Cantina that investigators say was purposely set on fire in 2005. One man died in that fire.
The Hitch 'N Post was built at the same location.
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Fire Desyroys Hitching Post For 2nd Time
By butlercitizen on November 13, 2017
Firefighters from a dozen communities were called overnight to a piece of Mercer County property that was the scene of a deadly fire a dozen years ago.
The Hitch ‘N Post Bar and Grille was destroyed by flames early Monday.
Sheakleyville Volunteer Fire Department arriving on Hadley Road shortly before 1 am found flames coming through the roof of the bar, according to Assistant Fire Chief Jim Tuchek in a WFMJ Report out last night.
Eight fire departments from Mercer County and four from Crawford County were dispatched to help battle the flames.
This is the second fire at the location in 82006 years when the original OC Hotel and Cantina burned at the hands of an arsonist who was later convicted.
A State fire marshal will be on scene Monday.
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OTTER CREEK TWP., Pa. (WYTV) – A fire destroyed the Hitch’n Post Bar and Grill on Hadley Road in Otter Creek Township, just outside of Greenville.
The restaurant closed at 10 p.m. Sunday then someone driving by around 1 a.m. Monday saw flames shooting from the roof and called 911.
Fourteen fire departments were called to the fire. When crews arrived, the restaurant was engulfed.
No injuries were reported. The restaurant is a total loss.
A cause hasn’t been determined yet.
This same structure caught fire in 2005 when it was the Otter Creek Hotel and Cantina. James Hall had been renting a room there and died of smoke inhalation. That fire was ruled arson and the death a homicide.
Michael Watson, 43, was sentenced to 19 to 53 years in prison in connection with the arson and Hall’s death. Watson admitted setting the fire at the hotel but said he never meant to kill anyone.