Fire heavily damages Donegal restaurant, tavern

A Donegal Borough landmark may be gone after it was heavily damaged by fire over the weekend.

Firefighters from three counties responded to the blaze at the Tall Cedars Restaurant and Tavern shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday. The dozen departments on hand included units from Chestnut Ridge, Ligonier and Darlington fire departments.

When units arrived, “The fire was through the roof, and there was heavy fire in the bar and kitchen areas of the building,” said Chestnut Ridge Fire Chief Shawn Kestner. He said flames also spread to the dining area.

No one was injured and firefighters had the blaze under control in about 45 minutes, according to Kestner. But he said the roof is “pretty much gone” and the building at 108 Main St. is likely a total loss.

Kestner said the fire was centered in the middle of the structure — an original log building with wood frame additions, which was too dangerous for firefighters to enter. He said they pursued an aerial and exterior attack on the flames, tapping a nearby hydrant with additional water supply from tanker trucks.

Owner Jay Springer was alerted when smoke alarms sounded and was able to safely exit the apartment he occupies at one end of the building, Kestner said. There was smoke damage to the apartment, he said.

A longtime staple in Donegal, the business was started in the late 1940s by James Brady and was operated by two subsequent owners — Clair Alfred Weaver and Gilbert Kunkle — before it was purchased by Springer in 2016.

Sunday’s fire marked “a sad day for the communities within the Donegal area,” said Kris Enberg, executive director of the Mountain Laurel Chamber of Commerce based in Jones Mills. She said the business has been the source of “good food and camaraderie though the years.

“Thoughts and prayers go out to Jay and his family as they struggle through this difficult time.”

Firefighters remained at the scene for about five hours.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.