Wilkes-Barre bar damaged in fire

A fire that erupted early this morning at the Hardware Bar in Wilkes-Barre was the result of varnish rags that caught fire amid a reconstruction project, fire officials said.

The fire alarm system at the South Main Street nightclub triggered the sprinkler system and dispatched the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department.

Most of the fire had already been extinguished by the time fire crews responded around 4 a.m., said city Fire Chief Jay Delaney.

"Very fortunately, they have a good fire alarm system and a sprinkler system in place that prevented a lot of damage," Delaney said.

The fire began and was contained to the Mardi Gras themed section of the nightclub, one of three separate themed bars in the facility on South Main Street. The other two bars are Hardware Bar and Buck Wild's Rode House.

The Mardi Gras section has been closed for about two months as the owner plans to change the theme to Susquehanna Ale House, a bar featuring beers from up to 15 craft brewers, said owner Ron Kamionka.

"It's never a good scenario. But it's the best of a bad scenario. It wasn't an operating room," Kamionka said.

Kamionka said there are fire walls in between each of the three bars and the other two will remain open for business. Kamionka estimated the fire would cost $20,000 in damage and cleanup.

Susquehanna Ale House was slated to open Thanksgiving Eve and that remains the target open date, he said.

"I don't think this is going to be a setback," Kamionka said.

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Wilkes-Barre bar damaged in fire