By Larissa Dudkiewicz
The state police fire marshal and Ambridge fire department have ruled the cause of a fire that started at Rooks Cantina 505 to be undetermined.
Fire officials were on scene throughout the day Wednesday after firefighters were called around 12:30 a.m. to the Fourth Street restaurant and lounge.
Ambridge Fire Chief David Drewnowski said it appears the fire started on the third floor in a vacant apartment.
Authorities were on scene until 7 a.m. and continued to douse the building throughout the day. Firefighters and police returned and blocked off the street after the fire rekindled inside the building, which Drewnowski called a total loss.
“Because the roof caved in, it’s hard to get water underneath," he said. "The roof and the shingles are stopping it.”
Unis Demolition tore down parts of the building Wednesday evening to get at some of the hot spots inside.
“It will be secured so no one gets hurt. They’ll fence it off,” Drewnowski said.
He said Perri’s Barbershop, which abuts the restaurant, is fine as well as the dentist office of Dr. Michael Harris.
Owners Denise Romero and husband, Marty Costanza, said they were inside the restaurant, and the night was winding down when they started to smell smoke. The couple purchased the restaurant two months ago and spent weeks renovating and remodeling.
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The state police fire marshal and Ambridge fire department have ruled the cause of a fire that started at Rooks Cantina 505 to be undetermined.
Fire officials were on scene throughout the day Wednesday after firefighters were called around 12:30 a.m. to the Fourth Street restaurant and lounge.
Ambridge Fire Chief David Drewnowski said it appears the fire started on the third floor in a vacant apartment.
Authorities were on scene until 7 a.m. and continued to douse the building throughout the day. Firefighters and police returned and blocked off the street after the fire rekindled inside the building, which Drewnowski called a total loss.
“Because the roof caved in, it’s hard to get water underneath," he said. "The roof and the shingles are stopping it.”
Unis Demolition tore down parts of the building Wednesday evening to get at some of the hot spots inside.
“It will be secured so no one gets hurt. They’ll fence it off,” Drewnowski said.
He said Perri’s Barbershop, which abuts the restaurant, is fine as well as the dentist office of Dr. Michael Harris.
Owners Denise Romero and husband, Marty Costanza, said they were inside the restaurant, and the night was winding down when they started to smell smoke. The couple purchased the restaurant two months ago and spent weeks renovating and remodeling.
Like Ambridge Connection on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Photo Credit: Felicia Mycyk/ Ambridge Connection
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