McKEESPORT, Pa. — A former restaurant in McKeesport that was being turned into a strip club was destroyed by fire early Wednesday morning.
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Firefighters were called to the former Chick’s Bar and Grill on Walnut Street around 4 a.m.
When crews arrived on scene, heavy smoke was billowing from the building.
A witness posted photos on the official WPXI-TV Facebook page.
Walnut Street was closed in both directions between Eden Park Boulevard and Long Run Road as firefighters fought the flames.
McKeesport solicitor J. Jason Elash told Channel 11 News in a statement that the last business attempting to occupy the building was the proposed Saints and Sinners gentlemen's club.
The proposed club had been the focus of several protests by neighbors in McKeesport.
After a nearly two-year court battle, Elash said the business, whose application was submitted by Birdseye Enterprises LLC, was unable to produce a valid lease of the building.
Fire investigators from the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF remained at the site for most of Wednesday, trying to determine a cause.
“We don't know the cause or origin of the fire at this time because of the roof collapse. It's too dangerous to get in and investigate at this time,” said ATF Agent Joseph Price.
Heavy equipment is expected to be brought to the site within the next day to clear away some of the debris to make it safe for investigators to go in and determine how the fire started.
Attempts to contact the owner of the business and his attorney were not successful.