PATTON — A fire early Friday destroyed the Anchor Inn, a well-known Clearfield Township bar that was built nearly
50 years ago near Prince Gallitzin State Park.
The one-story structure was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, said George McGary, a captain with Patton Volunteer Fire Company.
A park ranger reportedly spotted the fire and called Cambria 911, McGary said.
The 911 center dispatched the first companies at 2:31 a.m.
The bar was closed at the time, and nobody had been inside, McGary said.
He listed the cause of the fire as electrical in nature, although he could give no additional details.
The L-shaped, block building was a total loss.
The building’s roof was partially collapsed when firefighters arrived, and the rest of the roof caved in while they were trying to extinguish the blaze, McGary said.
Because of the tavern’s rural location along Marina Road, water had to be brought in by tankers from about a mile away in the state park, he said.
In addition to Patton, seven other fire companies responded: Hope from Northern Cambria, Carrolltown, Ashville, Glendale, Loretto, Cresson and Irvona.
Kevin Gates, the tavern owner, could not be reached for comment.
Theodore Ott of Carrolltown, who had owned the bar from 1974 to 1990, said it had been built by the late Bob and Ethel Miller of Patton in the mid-1960s.
The structure has gone through several ownership changes since them, he said.
Ott, who is 75, said he added a pool room and dance floor after he purchased the bar.
“It was a hopping place at one time,” he said.
Ott said he received a call about the fire before 3 a.m. and decided to go to the scene.
“It was terrible to see,” he said.
“I had a fire there in the mid-1980s, but not like this.
“It’s no more now.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Paul Rowan
Discussion
Fire destroys landmark Anchor Inn
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
