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UPDATE: Fire marshal at Lake Tavern fire scene

Fire that broke out shortly before 8 a.m. today destroyed Chrissy's Lake Tavern on state Route 46 in Mecca. (Staff photo / Guy Vogrin)

MECCA — A popular and historic Mecca Township business next to Mosquito Lake Reservoir burned to the ground Wednesday morning as the frozen lake could not provide enough water to quell the flames, according to a report from the Cortland fire chief.

About a dozen Trumbull County fire departments were called shortly before 8 a.m. to battle flames and smoke coming out of Chrissyás Lake Tavern, 6071 state Route 46 NE, just south of Mecca Circle.

Fire Chief David Rea called it a total loss, with the biggest challenge being getting water on the blaze. He said the townshipás two hydrants on the reservoir were almost dry because of frozen lake.

“We got a little bit (of water) out of the lake hydrants, but not enough to make a difference,ã Rea said. âWe did the best we could.”

Firefighters had to ship water in via an army of tankers from the Cortland department, which is about a five-mile round trip. After first arriving, fire crews were concerned about possible explosions because of the high flames, but an Ohio Edison crew arrived by 8:40 a.m. and all utilities were cut from the business.

Fire crews remained on the scene throughout the day as a Bazetta ladder crew assembled about 10 a.m. to water down remaining hot spots from above.

A neighbor said the fire started in rear outside building, but Rea would not speculate on where it started. He said most of flames were in rear of building when they arrived. The call came in to Trumbull County 911 at 7:53 a.m. with a report that flames were bursting through the roof on the west side of the building.

A state fire marshal investigator arrived by mid-morning to begin combing through the rubble to find a cause.

Owner Chrissy Long of Cortland said the building was historic with parts of the woodwork dating back to 1837. She said she bought the establishment four years ago and during the COVID-19 pandemic, she put in about $250,000 in renovations to the business, which was popular, especially in the summer months, with boaters, fishermen and campers coming in from the reservior to dine and / or have a drink or two. A boat launch was within walking distance to the back door of the bar and grill.

Long and several of her workers shed tears as they watched the blaze from a safe distance along the side of Route 46, which was blocked to regular traffic at the circle and then south at Edgwater Drive so the many water tanker trucks could complete their shuttle trip from Cortland to the blaze.

About 10 to 12 departments responded, according to Rea.

No injuries were reported.

A 911 report listed the following crews who were on scene: Mecca, Bazetta, Cortland, Bristol, Greene, Johnston, Youngstown Air Reserve Base, Burghill-Vernon, Gustavus, Brookfield, Kinsman, Fowler, Orangeville and Bloomfield fire departments.

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