Local

Massive flames destroy vacant Fayette Co. building

REPUBLIC, Pa. — Massive flames shot from a Fayette County business Wednesday morning, for the second time in the past few weeks.

Authorities said firefighters were called to the Old Mystic Inn building on Legion Street in Redstone Township just before 1 a.m.

By time crews extinguished the heavy flames and thick smoke, the building was destroyed.

Firefighters were able to keep the flames from causing too much damage to surrounding businesses. The American Legion next door sustained some minor damage.

Kathy Broadwater, who owns the business next door, said she rushed to the scene and saw about 20 fire companies fighting the blaze.

“I got here as soon as I could,” she said.

The Republic fire chief told Channel 11 News that the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. It’s unclear if Wednesday’s fire and the one from April could be related.