Watch CBS News

Fire Rips Through Former Bar & Grill In McKeesport

MCKEESPORT (KDKA)- Crews were called to the scene of a two-alarm fire at a former bar and grill in McKeesport early Wednesday morning.

The fire started just before 4 a.m. Wednesday at Chick's Grill in the 3700-block of Walnut Street.

The fire at the former Chick's Grill was a tough one to fight, but firefighters managed to put it out after tackling some hot spots.

KDKA's Amy Wadas Reports:

"When they arrived on scene, the fire had a heavy advance on them. They went immediately to exterior attack," McKeesport Fire Chief Jeff List said.

The former Chick's Grill is now a total loss. Firefighters say the steel roof collapsed.

Fortunately, no one was injured during the fight. But, crews had their work cut out for them.

"Because the number of fires this morning with the large hotel and McKeesport and the working fire in Duquesne, resources were tapped, but we probably had four agencies and a second alarm dispatched immediately," List said.

The building has recently been the center of controversy over a gentleman's club named "Saints and Sinners".

The controversy sparked public protests and prayer meetings and generated a lot of talk during council meetings.

The club was scheduled to open last year, but lost several zoning battles with McKeesport.

The owner, Birdseye Enterprises, filed an appeal. Before that case could be heard by the court, issues developed with the lease. McKeesport's City Solicitor J. Jason Elash issued this statement today:

"The city was preparing documents to have that appeal dismissed based on Birdseye's failure to produce a lease. In light of today's events, the city will move to have this matter brought to a final resolution as soon as possible."

KDKA's Ross Guidotti Reports:

Until the cause is determined, it's unclear when the building will be demolished.

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal is the lead agency investigating both the Jefferson Hills and McKeesport fires from Wednesday morning. However, KDKA has learned given the number of fires, time of origin, and both being businesses, the ATF is now assisting.

But finding an exact cause and origin may prove difficult because in both McKeesport and in Jefferson Hills, the level of destruction is extreme.

In a statement, Allegheny County Fire Marshal Chief Alvin Henderson said: "The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting the Allegheny County Fire Marshal due to multiple fire investigations running concurrently within the county."

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.