Published: August 18, 2008 09:26 am         

Tavern fire at Keyser ruled suspicious

KEYSER, W.Va. — Fire that caused an estimated $45,000 in damages to the Railsyde Tavern at 53 Armstrong St. has been determined to be suspicious, according to Assistant Chief Michael Simpson of the Keyser Volunteer Fire Department.

The West Virginia State Fire Marshal and the Keyser fire company are continuing to investigate the 7:38 a.m. incident that was first reported in a 911 call by a passerby who saw smoke at the rear of the two-story building.

All the occupants of three second-floor apartments were evacuated safely when they were alerted by Keyser Police Department and Keyser volunteer firefighters.

“All of the occupants will be allowed to return to their apartments later today,” said Simpson. He said the apartment sustained only smoke damage.

The fire that began on an outside wall of the first-floor tavern was confined to the business, which is owned by Michael Burris and Jerry Friel. The business had closed at 1 a.m. Monday.

Thirty-four volunteer firefighters from Keyser, Piedmont, New Creek, Fountain and McCoole responded along with Keyser Rescue Squad.

First-arriving firefighters found smoke and flames on the east side of the building but were able to control it quickly to minimize damage.

Firefighters were on the scene for nearly two hours following alert by 911 emergency centers at Keyser and Cumberland.

Keyser Police controlled traffic throughout the fire operation.