Shadyside's Harris Grill sustains 'devastating' damage in fire

Fire crews were able to contain an early morning fire on the first floor of the Harris Grill in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood.

Owner Rodney Swartz said the damage to the popular bar and restaurant was “devastating” but could have been worse. He lost the fireplace and staircase in the entryway, but the second and third floors did not seem to be damaged, he said. The restaurant’s kitchen was not severely damaged, Swartz said.

He was thankful that the fire was reported quickly. Had the call been made moments later, it likely would have spread, Swartz said. Nobody was injured.

Crews responded just after 6:30 a.m. to the restaurant at 5747 Ellsworth Ave., near Maryland Avenue.

Officials said the fire appears to have started near the front door of the restaurant. Crews were able to douse the fire and prevent it from spreading to upper levels.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Harris Grill rebuilt after a fire that gutted the Shadyside building in 2007. During that blaze, about 50 people inside the building fled as the fire destroyed the business.

Fire, water and smoke caused damage estimated at $250,000 for the building and $260,000 for the contents, a 2007 fire report said.

Tawnya Panizzi and Jamie Martines are Tribune-Review staff writers.