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Community in shock over Bird-in-Hand Family Inn explosion

It was confirmed that Monday morning's propane explosion killed one of the hotel's employees.

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — Cleanup continued on Tuesday at the site of a fatal explosion that leveled part of a Lancaster County hotel.

The propane explosion and subsequent fire happened at the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn in Leacock Township early Monday morning, and the shock is still being felt by community members both near and far.

“We’ve stayed here. Really nice place," said Joe Reilly, who lives in Montgomery County, but travels out to Lancaster area to visit. "Really nice family that runs it, hard workers, so I feel bad for them”

One Bird-In-Hand employee was killed in the blast.

On Tuesday, Bird-in-Hand Corporation identified the employee as Michelle Miller, 61, of Lancaster. 

Miller worked as a night auditor at the Inn and was with the company for 34 years.

“Kind of a shock when something like this happens," said Daniel Fleurant of Gordonville. "Especially when it’s a place you know and love.”

People from across the area stopped by Tuesday to take in the devastating scene on Old Philadelphia Pike, as the Inn’s owners figure out where to go next.

The hotel, which was already closed this week for maintenance and cleaning, is now closed until further notice.

“It’s quite tragic," added Fleurant. "Before we moved down, we would come and bring friends to go to the theater and we’d stay here.”

Meanwhile, other nearby businesses are feeling the impacts too.

“We’re a tight-knit industry community that relies on each other for the many facets involved with folks coming in from out of town to visit," said Brandon Martin, director of operations for the American Music Theatre.

The American Music Theatre is in the midst of its Christmas show season and is now helping out-of-town guests find new dinner reservations.

“It’s [a lot of] picking up the phone [and] checking availability. We’re always in close communication with our partners, and we always get it done one way or another," said Martin.

Martin says the business impacts are a far cry from what’s most important, as the Bird-In-Hand family mourns the loss of one of their own.

“They’re just in our thoughts and prayers, and we want to extend any assistance we’re able to through this difficult time," expressed Martin.

Bird-in-Hand Corporation invited staff and the community to attend a vigil for Miller on Thursday, December 21 at 6 p.m. on the grounds of the Family Inn.

“Michelle was a long-time and much-loved member of the Bird-in-Hand family, and we are heartbroken by her tragic loss,” said John E. Smucker, II, Bird-in-Hand’s president and chief executive officer. “We are committed to honoring her memory.” 

Bird-in-Hand Corporation encouraged community members to donate in Miller’s name to Water Street Mission in Lancaster or St. Patrick Pottsville Area Kitchen in Pottsville. 

The Bird-in-Hand Family Inn closes the week before Christmas every year for cleaning and maintenance, so very few people were in the building on the night of the fire, the company said.

The fire appears to have been caused by a propane explosion and did an estimated $1 million to $2 million in damages. 

“We are grateful that no one else was injured, and for the first responders from several local departments,” Smucker said. “We also want to thank the community for their outpouring of support. We have received so many calls from people asking how they can help.” 

The company is assessing damage to the hotel and the adjacent Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord. 

The restaurant will be closed until at least December 23, and the Bird-in-Hand Stage, located on the restaurant’s lower level, will be closed until at least December 25. 

Reservation and ticketholders are being notified. If guests with reservations have questions, they can contact Central Reservations at (717) 768-8271 or CentralReservations@Bird-in-Hand.com beginning Wednesday, Dec. 20. 

“We are in discussions about rebuilding the hotel, and we are committed to reopening and serving our restaurant and stage guests as soon as possible,” Smucker said. 

In the meantime, the company’s other lodging properties, its Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Cafe and Artisan Village all are operating on their normal schedules. 

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