Chadds Ford landmark Jimmy John’s restaurant was destroyed
by fire Saturday, the day it was celebrating its 70th anniversary.
No one was injured, and the cause of the three-alarm blaze is still under
investigation.
(A state police press release issued Sunday, May 2, said a firefighter was taken to Riddle Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.)
About 20 fire companies responded.
Concordville Fire Co. Chief Thomas Nelling said the first
call, at 8:19 a.m., indicated a propane explosion, while two unidentified
employees said the fire flared up in the grill area.
About six employees and three patrons were in the restaurant
on Route 202 at the time. All got out safely.
Much of the memorabilia inside, the old photos and model
railroad cars were destroyed, but some were salvageable.
While firefighters continued to put out the smoldering
embers, employees sorted through what was pulled from the wreckage, going
through the models, photos and removing what money they could from the fire and
water damaged cash registers.
“There was a lot of history there,” Nelling said.
Restaurant owner Roger Steward acknowledged the history
adding, “My heart is broken today.” He added that he wanted to rebuild. "We'll bring it back stronger than ever."
Steward and the employees, 12 in all, were gearing up for a
70th anniversary celebration. They were expecting thousands of
people and awaiting a large cake when the fire started.
The Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal is investigating.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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