MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — Snowline Saloon in Oakhurst completely burned down on Wednesday after a large fire overnight.
CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced says crews responded to the commercial building just before midnight for calls of a fire.
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When they arrived, they found the entire building fully engulfed in flames.
CAL FIRE says they were lucky to contain the fire before it became a wildfire.
Snowline Saloon in Oakhurst burns down in large overnight fire (Courtesy: Gurpreet Singh)
One firefighter was injured and taken to the hospital, where they were treated and released.
Crews will remain on scene on Wednesday morning for any possible hazards and cleanup.
The business had just recently opened its doors in July following renovations.
Russell Papenhausen, who works across the street at Mountain Lodge Trail, says he spotted the flames and immediately called 911.
A photo of the witness who saw the flames from across the street of Snowline Saloon. (Photo: FOX26)
“I look over and I see engulfed flames, I heard an explosion,” Papenhausen said. “From there, I ran to the office got a cell phone, called Dispatch 911, notified them that there was a fire across the street at Snowline.”
Papenhausen says flames were already shooting from the back of the building when he ran over to help.
“There was flames already shooting up,” he said. “I ran over there and I saw the Harley, you know, moved the guy’s Harley…by then, the fire chief was already pulling up with their crews.”
Papenhausen says the fire began moving into nearby vegetation as firefighters worked to contain it.
“It was slowly jumping over into the grass, and it started going down the hill already,” he said.
Fire officials told FOX26 crews were able to contain the fire before it could spread farther.
They confirm the fire did spread into nearby vegetation, burning about a quarter of an acre.
Papenhausen also says the chief brought up that he had helped move a Harley out of harm’s way.
He says the owner heard about it and thanked him for helping save the motorcycle.
All the was left was ash and rubble.
The Snowline Saloon in Oakhurst was destroyed by an overnight fire, leaving the newly renovated business a total loss. (Photo: FOX26)
And for longtime residents, seeing the building reduced to ash and rubble was devastating.
They say the Snowline Saloon was part of Oakhurst’s history and hope the business can make a comeback.
Amy Stephens, who lives in Ahwahnee, drove to Oakhurst after hearing about the fire to see the damage for herself and take pictures for her mother.
A photo of a local devastated by the fire. (Photo: FOX26)
Stephens says her grandfather helped build the historic building decades ago.
She also has her own memories of the Snowline Saloon.
“I’ve had great dinners there. I’ve taken friends to drinks there, played pool. We’ve had a great time there,” Stephens said.
Stephens says the recent renovations made the loss even harder to see. She feels for the business owner.
“They just worked so hard to revamp the building and they did such a good job,” she said. “And I just can’t believe that the building is gone.”
Fire crews remained at the scene to address remaining hazards and hot spots.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.