An overnight fire that leveled a Strasburg bowling alley was not suspicious in nature, investigators said today.
The cause of the fire is undetermined but was not arson, said Trooper Brian Herr, a state police fire marshal.
The Garden Spot Bowl, 226 N. Decatur St., was destroyed by the fire, one of two major fires overnight in Lancaster County. The other fire was at the West Lancaster Diner in East Hempfield Township. (See stories on that fire here and here.)
Herr said the bowling alley fire began in an area between a dropped ceiling and the building's roof. He said the cause of the fire could have been an electrical system or a heating outlet in the area where the fire began.
The fire caused an estimated $1.5 million to $1.75 million in damage to the bowling alley, a borough landmark for more than 50 years.
Between 200 and 300 firefighters battled the blaze at the bowling alley, which was occupied when the fire broke out around 9:15 a.m. Everyone got out safely.
Two hundred to 300 firefighters from more than 50 area companies battled a fire that tore through Garden Spot Bowl, 226 N. Decatur St.
Multiple callers reported fire in the roof of the Strasburg bowling alley around 9:15 p.m.
Strasburg Assistant Fire Chief John Stoltzfus said he encountered heavy smoke and flames coming through the roof when he arrived at the scene.
He said firefighters tried to mount an interior attack but were "blown back" from the front door by heavy flames.
With the building near collapse about two hours later, crews continued to pour water on the still-raging blaze.
SLIDE SHOW: Firefighters battle flames at Garden Spot Bowl
RAW VIDEO: Fire razes Strasburg bowling alley
Five people were reportedly in the bowling alley, which was open, when the fire started. Stoltzfus could not confirm that report but did say no injuries had been reported.
The fire drew hundreds of onlookers, who stood solemnly as the 55-year-old borough landmark burned.
Ron McVey, who lives about a block away on Washington Street, said he was watching TV when he heard sirens. He opened his front door to black smoke.
He said the bowling alley remained a popular place in town, especially on weekends.
"It's really sad," McVey, who has lived in Strasburg for 17 years, said as he watched from across the street. "This is going to leave a big hole in the town."
Wednesday's blaze came almost a month after fire razed the 50-year-old Columbia Bowl along Columbia Avenue. The cause of that fire was ruled undetermined by a state police fire marshal, but a fire official said at the time it was not suspicious.
