Council votes no on KI tax
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Historic Oregonia restaurant believed a total loss from fire
Friday, February 13, 2009
Extras
Smoke rolls out of the Little Rive Cafe in Oregonia early this morning, Feb. 13.OREGONIA — The owner of the Little River Cafe is unsure if he'll be able to rebuild after a fire ravaged the historic building early Friday in this small Warren County village.
Fire crews from Morrow, Warren County and Wayne, Massie, Turtlecreek, Salem and Union townships responded around 1 a.m., today, Feb. 13, to the restaurant, 5527 Oregonia Road, where they found the second floor of the two-story structure fully engulfed in flames, officials said. By morning, the entire left side of the building was blackened.
No one was inside the building, said Fire Chief Paul Scherer.
Fire crews left the scene by mid-morning and fire investigators plan to return to the site this afternoon, he said.
No cause yet has been determined, Scherer said, but early reports indicated that the fire may have started because of an electrical problem. A report on the fire is expected early next week, Scherer said.
He said the fire is believed to have started in the mechanical room on the east side of the building.
"It's probably going to be a total loss," Scherer said.
Owner Mark Burris stood in numbed shock in front of his restaurant Friday morning, slowly eating a breakfast sandwich, unsure of how to take stock of the damage.
"I got a call it was on fire at 1:30 last night," Burris said. "I was here ever since."
Burris said he had owned the building for the past eight years and it has operated as a restaurant for more than 30 years. He said the large, two-story structure, which has a large wrap-around porch and sits on the bank of the Little Miami River, was built in the 1860s. Burris said he didn't know if new zoning codes would allow him to rebuild the restaurant because of its proximity to the river.
Throughout the morning, well wishers came to offer their support to Burris.
"Please, please rebuild," said patron Bob Armbrust.
"People would ride their bikes down the bike trail and then stop in for a bite to eat," said regular customer and friend Rob Bright.
Burris said beyond the building, he lost a lot of memorabilia, including hunting trophies and antiques in the fire. One stuffed Canadian bear appeared to have been unharmed by the blaze.
"If we rebuild, I'll put him back in with a big "No Smoking" sign around his neck," Burris said.
Comments
By SPRINGPEEPERS
May 14, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this
We enjoy riding up on bikes from Riverside Camp Ground to eat and listen to the entertainment on weekends. Please rebuild…
By George
April 12, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this
We use the Little River Cafe as our start and finish for our ride up the Miami Bike Trail. We stopped by today and were devastated to see the damage. We were really looking forward to a cold beer at the end of our ride! Please rebuild this wonderful place!
By Julie Castillo
February 19, 2009 10:14 PM | Link to this
I use to work there the first three years that place was open and my sister lives right behind there and when she told me it was burnt it nearly devastated me so please rebuild mark we are all here for you to help you get through this. What will oregonia do for the hill climbs with out Little River they are the life of the party.We love you all. Julie Castillo
By PhilO
February 19, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
The LRC became our home away from home almost immediately upon us moving here from Mason nearly 5 years ago. It seems that all of our dear friends we met there… If Warren County zoning gives my friend Mark any trouble I plan to be there and protest myself!
Looking forward to see how the new place will look :-)
By holly
February 18, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this
I was there for the first time the weekend before. They had the best fried mushrooms ever!! I hope they reopen!!
By Tif Sigfrids
February 18, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this
I spent the summer of 2007 in Oregonia visiting my parents and spent a considerable amount of time at the Little River Cafe. It posed such a contrast to any dining establishment here in Los Angeles. I’m so sad that it won’t around for my future visits home. It signified community to me in a way that warms my heart to think of. I made a movie called I (Heart) Orgeonia that takes place at the Little River Cafe and showed it in a gallery here a few months before this tragedy.
By Robin
February 18, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
Please rebuild!! We ride our bikes from Loveland just to eat there. My kids love the Little River! My thoughts and prayers are with you!
By Laura
February 17, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this
Please, please, please rebuild!
By J Moore
February 17, 2009 7:38 AM | Link to this
It was one of those places that had the home away from home feeling and good food, good friends and good fun. A place for the whole family.
By Gene
February 17, 2009 7:16 AM | Link to this
This was a great neighborhood place - I hope he can rebuild.