Harmar House on Freeport Road catches fire
HARMAR, Pa. (KDKA) — The Harmar House caught on fire Wednesday.
Crews were called to the blaze at the banquet facility on Freeport Road in Harmar Township at around 7 p.m. Jim Reynolds was bartending inside when someone said there was smoke coming from the building. He helped get 10 to 12 pool players to get to safety.
There are 16 apartments attached to the facility, and everyone got out safely. About nine people are displaced.
The co-owner of the building, Nick Futules, said a lot of people are depending on the facility, which has events scheduled every weekend from now until Christmas.
"We've made a lot of memories for a lot of people over the years," he said. "I've been here for thousands of weddings and events and it's been a place where everybody goes to celebrate. And that's come to an end from the looks of it."
"I retired and I started working here part-time," Reynolds said. "I enjoy it. I enjoy the people coming in here. It's a nice place and I feel bad."
The Allegheny Valley fire chief said it took an hour and a half to knock the fire down. No one was hurt. At least 15 fire departments responded to the scene.
At this time, the fire chief doesn't know if any of the building is repairable.
A cause remains unknown, though officials believe it started in the kitchen. The fire marshal is investigating.
Futules said he would have celebrated 25 years of owning the building on Monday.