HAZLETON - Fire destroyed a Butler Township restaurant late Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters from multiple regional departments were dispatched to the Bell House Cafe, 656 N. Hunter Highway, Drums, about 5:30 p.m. on a report of a structure fire.
At the scene, Valley Regional Fire and Rescue Assistant fire Chief Marty James said the building was engulfed in flames when emergency responders arrived.
"Fire was through the roof and the back of the house. The whole back of the house was fully involved," James said.
The inferno lit up the night sky, visible for miles in the Butler Township valley. Snow blanketing the open field that lies between the Bell House Cafe and the Stage Coach Inn to the north reflected the fierce orange glare of the fire. A life-size horse statue stood like a sentry in the snowy field watching flames devour the cafe.
Tanker trucks from several area fire companies were dispatched to the CAN DO Corporate Center, located about a mile south of the fire scene, to access a water supply. The tankers transported water to the scene and pumped the water into portable ponds that were set up on Route 309.
As firefighters battled the blaze in sub-freezing temperatures, massive amounts of water flowed onto Route 309, creating a dangerous coating of ice on the roadway. Road crews from Butler Township and the state Department of Transportation were called to the scene to spread salt and cinders on the slick roadway.
With numerous fire-fighting apparatus and other emergency vehicles blocking Route 309, officials shut down the state highway. Northbound traffic was stopped in the vicinity of Interstate 80 and advised to take an alternate route to their destination. North of the fire scene, southbound motorists were also told to take a different route. Traffic was snarled on Route 309 in the vicinity of the fire. Fire police worked to get each motorist turned around and headed away from the scene.
In about an hour, firefighters brought the fire under control and continued to deluge the structure until the fire was extinguished. After about two hours, several responding fire companies were able to leave the scene and return to their stations.
Butler Township officials remained on the scene for several hours.
James said he knew of no injuries.
Township police Officer Brian Sabatini said the Butler Township fire chief and a state police fire marshal would conduct the investigation into the cause and origin of the fire.
The cafe is owned and operated by Thomas Bell, who also operates an antique store on site. The business sits on three-plus acres with a large stone parking lot.
Bell was not immediately available for comment at the scene.
The grand opening of the Bell House Cafe was held in the early spring of 2009.
The building formerly housed a bakery for the Stage Coach Inn, located to the immediate north of the Bell House Cafe.