Before sunrise, flames tore through Fox's Tavern in South Connellsville, lighting up the early-morning sky and leaving the well-known neighborhood bar heavily damaged. Fire crews were called just before 3 a.m. and worked through the morning to bring the blaze under control, as smoke and water filled West Wine Street and regulars watched from the sidelines.
The tavern, at 205 West Wine Street, has long been a local gathering spot, according to MapQuest. Local menus and listings show Fox's as a full-service bar and restaurant with regular late-night hours, the kind of place South Connellsville residents often point to as a reliable go-to for food, drinks, and events.
Overnight Blaze And Emergency Response
Crews from several volunteer departments arrived on scene just before 3 a.m. and battled the fire into the morning, as reported by CBS Pittsburgh. The South Connellsville Volunteer Fire Company, New Haven Hose Company, and departments from Morell, Monarch, DLV, Dawson, and Everson were listed among the responders.
Connellsville Mayor Greg Lincoln wrote on Facebook that “Waking up to see a staple in our community gone in a fire is devastating news,” capturing what many residents were feeling as they woke up to the damage. The mayor's page also noted that no injuries were reported in connection with the blaze.
Photos accompanying coverage of the fire are credited to Randy Loughman and the South Connellsville Volunteer Fire Company's Facebook page. Officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Community Shock And Hopes To Rebuild
As firefighters worked, volunteers and neighbors expressed shock and sympathy, with offers of help beginning to roll in even as the building still smoldered. Local fire crews publicly thanked the community for the support.
