Fire Marshal Says VFW Fire Began in Kitchen Area

LOCK HAVEN – A state police fire marshal has determined the overnight fire which destroyed the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Lock Haven originated in the back of the first floor kitchen area.

Dave Bower, now a state VFW official who had occupied a second floor office in the two-story building, today gave The Record the inspector’s initial findings; Bower said the building’s remains will be demolished and a new post will be built at the same site.

No one was inside the building, Bower said, when the fire was discovered around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday. Firemen from all over the Lock Haven area responded to the blaze. No injuries were reported.

Bower said firemen were hampered by the building’s thick rubber roof which kept the flames inside for much of the battle, firemen forced to attack the fire from side windows.