Hugger Mugger fire accidental, electrical

May 20--A fire that damaged Hugger Mugger restaurant in Shenango Township on Friday was accidental, according to the fire chief.

"We are not sure exactly where it started," said chief David B. Rishel, noting that the owner's insurance company was looking at the damage Monday.

He said the insurance company has determined the cause to be electrical.

"We're saying it's accidental. There's no question it was an accident," Rishel said.

He said the fire was so hot that one steel girder completely melted.

Fire broke out in a back part of the kitchen around 11:20 a.m. while customers were inside eating late breakfasts or early lunch. The building, which fronts on Ellwood Road, was evacuated. One of the managers said he believed the fire had started in the freezer area.

The Shenango Township fire department was assisted by volunteer fire departments from Taylor Township, Princeton and South New Castle Borough and the New Castle fire department. Fire damage was restricted to the rear, northeast corner of the restaurant, but the blaze spread to the roof eaves.

The restaurant, owned by Paul and Genevieve Guyer, is temporarily closed.

The Guyers opened the eating establishment 10 years ago in the former Pappan's Restaurant building in front of Lawrence Village Plaza.

Guyer said Friday during the fire that he intends to reopen but does not know when. Attempts to reach him Monday about the damage and his future plans were unsuccessful.

(Email: [email protected])

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