BIRD IN HAND, Pa. — The Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant is closed for the foreseeable future after a fire broke out late Tuesday night.
Firefighters were called to the scene along the 2700 block of Old Philadelphia Pike around 10:49 p.m. on Tuesday. It took about half an hour to get the flames under control, according to the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company.
Despite no one being injured or killed, the fire caused extensive damage to the restaurant. Drone footage taken by FOX43 shows a hole that was burned through the roof during the fire.
The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage is being assessed.
“It’s a scary thing, it’s a scary thing," said Lisa Ryan.
Ryan works as a postal worker and would take lunch breaks at the restaurant. She said she is grateful no one is hurt, but adds that the news devastates many in Leacock Township, Lancaster County.
“The food is great. The people are wonderful," said Ryan. "To lose it would be detrimental not only to the area, but to the people who work here.”
The restaurant sits next door to the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn, where a propane explosion destroyed parts of the building in December, killing long-time employee Michelle Miller.
The restaurant was closed for 10 days; during that time, the restaurant’s structure, gas line and tanks, heating/ventilation/air conditioning, water and electrical systems reportedly passed extensive safety inspections.
“We fully intend to rebuild the restaurant, just like we are rebuilding the damaged structures at our Bird-in-Hand Family Inn, and to reopen when it is safe to do so," said John E. Smucker II, Bird-in-Hand’s president and chief executive officer.
“You look at it like, is this not a coincidence? What’s going on?" asked John Faherty, who would occasionally go to the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant with his wife.
Faherty hopes that the restaurant can clean up and reopen as soon as possible. The company is exploring ways to continue to serve its dining guests and to support its restaurant employees who are impacted by the closure.
“You’re always looking for a good place to eat, and that was one of them," said Faherty.