Overnight Night Blaze Damages Orwigsburg Eatery

Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County-- Fire severely damaged a landmark restaurant in Schuylkill County overnight.

An automatic fire alarm tipped crews off to that blaze at Madeline's Restaurant and Catering around 11:30 Sunday night.

Madeline's is a popular eatery that sits along East Market Street in Orwigsburg.

We're told they had closed for the night just about three hours before the blaze was reported.

Firefighters tell us there was heavy smoke and fire on the first floor near the front entrance of Madeline's Restaurant when crews arrived.

Assistant Fire Chief Kris Fessler explained, "Orwigsburg Ambulance was first on the scene, and reported that they had fire coming from three sides of the building."

 As many as 75 firefighters were on-hand to battle the blaze, called out from a number of surrounding communities.

There are no hydrants here-- so they had to shuttle in tankers of water to help smother the flames.

Crews spent about an hour initially bringing the fire under control, and several more hours dousing hot spots and overhauling the building.

Debbie Shepler, of Orwigsburg, noted, "It was a very popular place, terrific place to eat. It was always full."

Fessler added, "It's a well-known establishment. Most of the time you drive by here the parking lot is packed. It's a very good place to eat."

We're told one firefighter was treated for breathing in too much smoke. He's expected to be okay.

At this point, there are no reports of anyone else being hurt.

Madeline's has had a number of different names and owners over the years.

Interestingly, according to local legend, a woman named Rebecca was killed on or near this property-- and the place was haunted.

Shepler continued, "Folklore had it that there was someone murdered back here somewhere, and that's the ghost that they see that walks around and supposedly haunts this place."

A state police fire marshal is still attempting to determine how that fire started at Madeline's Restaurant in Orwigsburg.