‘A Sad Day in Sigel’ — The Farmers Inn Restaurant Destroyed by Fire

Scott Shindledecker

Scott Shindledecker

Published May 30, 2017 11:15 am
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SIGEL, Pa. (EYT) — The Farmers Inn restaurant was destroyed in a massive structure fire early Tuesday morning.

Firefighters were dispatched around 3:30 a.m. to the popular Cook Forest area restaurant located at 759 Shaffer Road, just north of Sigel on State Route 949, Jefferson County.

Sigel Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Justin Miller told exploreJeffersonPA.com that he and his family were just at the Inn Monday evening for ice cream.

“It’s a sad day in Sigel,” Miller said. “We’re just stunned. I was here with my family at 6:30 last night, and then we got the call at about 3:30 a.m.”

Miller said the firefighters in the first two trucks that responded could see the flames as they crested a hill in the distance. According to Miller, the fire could also be seen in Brookville, which is nearly 10 miles away.

The restaurant building, which also housed a gift shop, bakery, and ice cream parlor, was destroyed in the blaze but was the only structure with severe damage.

Owner Kim Lucas was distraught but pleased that no one was hurt. She went to the property when she heard the fire sirens.

“The firefighters weren’t hurt, no one was hurt and the animals are all OK,” Lucas said. “Right now, I’m kind of numb.”

“We just celebrated our 40th anniversary. But we’ll reopen as soon as we can. The zoo is fine, the bulk store is fine, the driving range is fine, we’ll be OK.”

Farmer's-Inn-Driving-Range

Lucas said she plans to rebuild the restaurant.

“At this point, I don’t know what else I’d do,” Lucas said.

Around 7:30 a.m., a representative of Jefferson County 911 told exploreJeffersonPA.com, “The fire is under control, and an excavation company is on the scene removing debris.”

Clarion Fire & Hose Company No. 1’s ladder truck was putting water on “hot spots” throughout the morning.

In addition to Sigel VFD and Clarion Fire & Hose, firefighters from Brookville, Corsica, Farmington Township, Marienville, Millcreek Township, Pine Creek Township, and Warsaw Township responded to help extinguish the fire.

The Pennsylvania State Police and Jefferson County EMS were also called to the scene.

State-Police-Fire-Marshall-Matt-Powell

Pennsylvania State Police Troop C Fire Marshal Matt Powell, pictured above, was at the scene to begin investigating the blaze.

There is no word on the cause of the fire.

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