Indiana Fire Crews were on the scene more than over five hours this morning for a fire at a restaurant in the 700 block of Philadelphia Street.
Indiana County 911 reported that Indiana, Clymer, Homer City and Creekside fire departments, along with Citizens Ambulance, Borough Police and the county HAZMAT team, were called to the Villa II Restaurant at 720 Philadelphia street for a fire reported in the kitchen at 12:35 this morning. Blairsville and Black Lick fire departments were called in later on to assist.
Indiana fire officials say that the kitchen of the Villa II was destroyed in the fire, but a sprinkler system in the dining room kept the fire at bay until fire crews were able to arrive. Smoke and water damage was also reported in the neighboring Kim Moon restaurant and the building to the right of the Villa that used to house Europa gifts. Rubber roofing on the back portion of the building also had to be removed as the fire spread into the roof.
Photos provided by Eric Barker
One of the problems was making sure that everyone kept warm as they worked on the fire. Indiana Fire Association Assistant Chief David Smith said that Indigo helped them with the solution.
No word yet on the cause of the fire, but State Police Fire Marshals have been called in to investigate.
