Riley's Pour House in Carnegie destroyed by fire
CARNEGIE, Pa. (KDKA) -- Flames tore through Riley's Pour House, a popular Irish pub in Carnegie, on Thursday.
The pub has been a fixture on East Main Street in Carnegie for decades but now it's a burned-out shell after a massive fire. In the evening, crews started demolishing the patio area.
People watched in shock as the community staple burned. Flames tore through Riley's Pour House, the outdoor area and four of the neighboring businesses. Photos show the restaurant completely engulfed in bright orange flames.
For at least two hours, firefighters tried to get the fire under control, using multiple aerial ladders to tackle the flames from the top. Water hoses on the ground also joined in.
Investigators believe the fire started in the kitchen. It destroyed the business.
"I just can't believe it. We have lunch right there every Friday at noon. I just can't believe it," said Carnegie resident J.J. Gallagher.
In a short Facebook post, Riley's Pour House said all their employees and customers are safe. The restaurant said a full statement would be released soon. It also warned of fake fundraising pages, saying any official fundraising information will be shared on the business' social media pages.
"This is terrible for our town. It's a place where everybody would go. They always had entertainment. It's really a sad thing," said Carnegie Councilman Emmett Freshwater.
According to the pub's website, it's been open for more than 40 years and serves traditional Irish fare and alcohol.
"It's a tragic loss to our community. The only bright spot is that obviously everyone got out safely, but it's devastating to our business district," said Allegheny County Council President Pat Catena.
Community members have said they'll do what it takes to restore the business.