The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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    Bar Fire 1
April 13, 2007

Local sports bar destroyed by fire

Amelia A. Pridemore

A Harper Heights sports bar was destroyed in an early Friday morning fire, and state fire marshals say the cause is unknown.

The Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department was called to the Rock City Sports Bar, located in the Shy Anne’s Square complex on W.Va. 3, about 5 a.m. Friday for a possible structure fire, assistant state fire marshal Robbie Bailey. When firefighters arrived, they saw smoke coming from the building’s roof. The fire progressed, and four more volunteer fire departments — Beaver, Mabscott, Trap Hill and Mount Hope — were called to assist.

No firefighters were injured, Bailey said. The bar was a total loss.

“It’s gutted,” he said.

The fire damage was contained to the bar, Bailey said. Other businesses in Shy Anne’s Square, the Dawg-Gone Pet Salon and Chaos Tattoo, sustained smoke, heat and water damage. Another location in the complex was vacant, and a laundrymat inside was not in operation. Employees from the pet salon and tattoo parlor removed stock Friday, and the businesses are now closed. Their future plans are unknown.

The investigation is in its preliminary stages, and Bailey said fire marshals have begun to gather information.

“Nothing stands out,” he said. “Nothing stands out as suspicious, and nothing stands out as accidental. We are still in the middle of the road.”

Rock City Sports Bar was open Thursday night, closing between 11 p.m. and midnight, Bailey said. The bar is owned by Matthew Robinson, and the Shy Anne’s Square complex is owned by Lewis Boothe.

Bailey encouraged anyone with information about the fire or anyone who was in that area to call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-233-3473. He noted the hotline offers rewards of up to $2,500, is open 24 hours a day, and callers can remain anonymous.

Assistant fire marshal B.J. Robinson assisted with the investigation.

— E-mail: apridemore @register-herald.com

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