Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a Sunday night fire that happened at Knute’s Tap Room restaurant in downtown Shippensburg.
The Shippensburg Fire Department responded to the blaze at 15 W. King St. minutes after the fire started at 10:30 p.m., according to chief Randy O’Donnell.
The blaze escalated to a second alarm fire, bringing over 75 firefighters to the scene. Upon arrival, crews observed heavy smoke emerging from the back of the building.
The fire was under control within an hour, O’Donnell said.
He told PennLive the fire began on the first floor in the area of the storage room and an office, which is where most of the damage is located.
He said the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
While the entire restaurant sustained smoke damage, the building is not at a total loss, according to O’Donnell. He said the restaurant will have a professional company do restoration work.
The restaurant shares a building with other businesses and upstairs apartments, but crews contained the fire to the restaurant.
Three storefronts and apartment units adjacent to the restaurant had “minor smoke and water damage,” he told PennLive.
One person was displaced from their apartment due to smoke damage and received help from the Red Cross. No injuries were reported.
O’Donnell said the restaurant’s sprinklers and smoke alarms were not operating when the fire started.
Although the cause of the fire remains under investigation, O’Donnell said it’s important for businesses to follow necessary local and state codes. He also gave thanks to the numerous firefighters who responded to the blaze.
”Businesses should make sure they have good insurance, follow local and state codes and make sure they have a clean and good working environment,” he said.