UPDATE -- A Springfield landmark is destroyed by fire. Firefighters were called to the 100 block of East College near Wittenberg University around four Friday afternoon.
It took firefighters at least 8 hours to get the fire under control. They say it could've been a lot worse. On a typical Friday night, McMurray's Irish Pub and Paddy's Pizza are packed with people, which could've been disastrous if the fire would've started just a few hours later.
There were about six employees inside when the fire started. They all managed to escaped unharmed.
"The room filled up with smoke so we ran out the front door and that's when I called 911," said McMurray's bartender, Alex Cummins.
Cummins was just about to open the pub for business when a kitchen fryer in the back of the building caught fire.
"Everyone who works at the bar is like family so I think it's going to be hard for a lot of people," she said.
Owner and City Commissioner Kevin O'Neill had just left when he got the dreaded call that his business was on fire. So he sped back to work to find his labor of love in flames.
"I just wanted to keep driving," he said.
O'Neill believes the fryer malfunctioned because it was on, but nothing was cooking. The fire spread quickly and was very difficult for crews to put out because the rubber-like roof prevented water from reaching the hot spots.
"The longer we sat here the worse the fire got. It didn't seem like it was ever going down," Cummins said.
For decades this building has been a Springfield landmark and popular hangout spot, and O'Neill says it will be once again.
"We're going to rebuild. No question about it none whatsoever. We will be back," he said.
A firefighter injured his arm while climbing on the ladder truck. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to be ok.
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SPRINGFIELD -- A Springfield landmark business is destroyed by fire. Crews were called to 122 E. College near Wittenberg University around four Friday afternoon. Firefighters say McMurray's Pub was engulfed in flames.
Employees say the fire started in the back of the building, near a kitchen fryer. The owner, Springfield City Commissioner Kevin O'Neill says nothing was being cooked at the time, but the fryers were on. He believes equipment may have malfunctioned.
The bartenders were just getting ready to open the pub when they saw smoke coming from the kitchen. About six employees were inside. They were able to escape unharmed.
At 8 pm, four hours after the fire started, crews were still working to put the fire out. They say the rubber roof made it tough to get water to all the hot spots. One firefighter injured his arm while climbing on a ladder truck. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to be ok.
The building houses three businesses: McMurray's Irish Pub, Paddy's Pizza, and Carmae Catering. Everything inside the building is destroyed, but O'Neill says he's determined to rebuild.
It took firefighters at least 8 hours to get the fire under control. They say it could've been a lot worse. On a typical Friday night, McMurray's Irish Pub and Paddy's Pizza are packed with people, which could've been disastrous if the fire would've started just a few hours later.
There were about six employees inside when the fire started. They all managed to escaped unharmed.
"The room filled up with smoke so we ran out the front door and that's when I called 911," said McMurray's bartender, Alex Cummins.
Cummins was just about to open the pub for business when a kitchen fryer in the back of the building caught fire.
"Everyone who works at the bar is like family so I think it's going to be hard for a lot of people," she said.
Owner and City Commissioner Kevin O'Neill had just left when he got the dreaded call that his business was on fire. So he sped back to work to find his labor of love in flames.
"I just wanted to keep driving," he said.
O'Neill believes the fryer malfunctioned because it was on, but nothing was cooking. The fire spread quickly and was very difficult for crews to put out because the rubber-like roof prevented water from reaching the hot spots.
"The longer we sat here the worse the fire got. It didn't seem like it was ever going down," Cummins said.
For decades this building has been a Springfield landmark and popular hangout spot, and O'Neill says it will be once again.
"We're going to rebuild. No question about it none whatsoever. We will be back," he said.
A firefighter injured his arm while climbing on the ladder truck. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to be ok.
***********************************************************
SPRINGFIELD -- A Springfield landmark business is destroyed by fire. Crews were called to 122 E. College near Wittenberg University around four Friday afternoon. Firefighters say McMurray's Pub was engulfed in flames.
Employees say the fire started in the back of the building, near a kitchen fryer. The owner, Springfield City Commissioner Kevin O'Neill says nothing was being cooked at the time, but the fryers were on. He believes equipment may have malfunctioned.
The bartenders were just getting ready to open the pub when they saw smoke coming from the kitchen. About six employees were inside. They were able to escape unharmed.
At 8 pm, four hours after the fire started, crews were still working to put the fire out. They say the rubber roof made it tough to get water to all the hot spots. One firefighter injured his arm while climbing on a ladder truck. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to be ok.
The building houses three businesses: McMurray's Irish Pub, Paddy's Pizza, and Carmae Catering. Everything inside the building is destroyed, but O'Neill says he's determined to rebuild.