MOUNT SAVAGE — A Tuesday evening fire at a Mount Savage bar and grill started in the establishment’s kitchen before spreading in ductwork and walls, officials said Wednesday.
The two-alarm fire at The Steel Pony at 15626 Mount Savage Road started about 5:30 p.m., according to the Allegany County Joint Communications Center.
“A cook was there doing cleaning of the fryers and attempted to use a fire extinguisher, but was not successful and evacuated the building,” Mount Savage Volunteer Fire Department Chief Matt Wolfe said.
Wolfe said the establishment does not have a sprinkler system, but the kitchen is equipped with a fire suppression system that did not activate.
He described the structure as a two-story, wood-frame construction with basement, and said smoke was coming from the building when firefighters arrived.
“The main level is a bar with a second bar and kitchen located in the basement,” Wolfe said. “There are two apartments on the second floor. One was occupied.”
The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal said Wednesday that damages totaled about $50,000 damage and the cause remained under investigation.
“Everybody got out. Everybody is OK. No body is hurt,” Steel Pony owners Wenona and Donnie Trexler said in a video message posted to social media Tuesday evening.
Approximately 60 firefighters operated on the scene for nearly three hours.
Fire units from Mount Savage, Hyndman, Midland, Corriganville, Ellerslie, Eastern Garrett, LaVale, Shaft, Wellersburg, Frostburg, Ridgeley, Lonaconing, Bedford Road, Bowling Green and Cresaptown, and ambulances from Mount Savage, Allegany County Department of Emergency Services and LaVale Rescue responded.
“It was bad, but it could have been a total loss,” the Trexlers said. “The bar will be closed for a while. The kitchen is a total loss.
“We are going to do our best to get the bar part itself opened back up,” they said. “You haven’t seen the last of the Steel Pony.”