Cause of Nov. blaze is ruled undetermined

STRUTHERS -- Investigators from the state fire marshal's office have ruled the cause of a Nov. 19 fire that destroyed the Wagon Wheel Bar & amp; Restaurant and the Struthers Athletic Club is undetermined.
The cause must be ruled undetermined because heavy fire damage and the collapse of the structures prevent investigators from eliminating the possibility of an accidental cause, according to a release from the fire marshal's office.
Struthers fire Chief Harold L. Milligan said he "respectfully disagrees" with the determination and maintains his original position that the cause was arson -- probably using alcohol from the bar to ignite a flame -- to cover a theft.
The owner told firefighters and police that two guns and an undisclosed amount of money were missing from the Wagon Wheel when he checked after the fire was cleared.
"Sometime between when he closed and the firemen came in, the back door miraculously opened, and the money disappeared, the guns disappeared," Milligan said.
The chief said his department will continue its investigation, which is at a standstill due to a lack of leads and new information.
The fire caused an estimated $400,000 in damage to three side-by-side buildings on South Bridge Street -- the restaurant, the club and the Sulmona Valley Club. The Wagon Wheel and the Athletic Club have been demolished.