Fire marshal probes blaze at Bingo's Lounge

Police want to see early photos or video of the fire.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Jeff Schuffert just watched as the smoke billowed out of Bingo's Lounge on U.S. Route 224 in Union Township.
"I came to see how bad this looks," said Schuffert, owner of Musicians Support and Supply Co. He estimates half of his company's assets were probably destroyed in the early-morning blaze. The other half, he said, is in The Wedge in Austintown.
Schuffert said he had about 70,000 worth of speakers and sound system equipment in the lounge, which caught fire sometime after 1 a.m. Thursday.
Authorities said no one was seriously injured in the blaze, but owner Chip Eichenlaub had red marks on his face and arms from being close to the fire.
Eichenlaub could be not be reached Thursday to comment.
By late Thursday morning, fire officials had deemed the property at 2001 West State St., just across from the Westgate Plaza, a complete loss. No damage estimate was available.
What's being sought
Jan Wilson, fire marshal with the Pennsylvania State Police, said they were still trying to determine the cause of the blaze. She is asking anyone who had still or video pictures of the fire in its early stages to turn them over to state police.
There were about 25 to 30 people inside the bar when the fire started.
Union Township Fire Chief Steve Stasko said the fire apparently started in the rear of the building where there was a banquet hall and kitchen.
"There were flames coming through the roof when we arrived," Stasko said. He estimates half of the roof was on fire when firefighters arrived at 1:30 a.m.
Firefighters worked until about 10 a.m. putting out hot spots in the building. Little was left except the outside walls.