A fire broke out Friday morning at The Curve Inn, heavily damaging the 90-year-old tavern just off Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois.
The Springfield State-Journal Register, speaking with Assistant Fire Chief Julie Plunk, reported that crews “encountered heavy fire and smoke in the bar and restaurant beer garden, along with a partial roof collapse.”
A breezeway connects the beer garden with a more permanent structure. Fire extended to the first floor of the two-story permanent building, Plunk said.
There was extensive smoke damage to the first and second floors to the bar, she added.
“Extreme wind gusts,” Plunk said, complicated matters for firefighters. “Luckily, there (aren’t any buildings close by.)”
While the cause is still under investigation, Plunk noted there were a number of heaters and grills in the beer garden.
No injuries were reported.
The bar set up a GoFundMe campaign to help displaced employees. It generated more than $25,000 less than 12 hours after the blaze.
“We will be back,” a message read on a new video posted on the Curve Inn’s website, which also contains numerous images of devastating damage to the interior.
The Curve Inn, at 3219 S. Sixth St. (aka Route 66), was founded in 1932 as Copps Corner. It became the Curve Inn in 1945.
The Curve is known for its atmosphere, pony shoe sandwiches and national music acts in its beer garden.
Less than 18 months ago, the entertainment and media website Geek Nexus named The Curve Inn one of the best dive bars serving food in the United States after surveying more than 3,000 people.
(Screen-capture image from WCIA-TV video of firefighters battling the Curve Inn fire)