Dec 25, 2010 By Jennifer Harr 3 min read

MASONTOWN – A fire on Christmas Eve destroyed the Klondike Lanes bowling alley in Masontown. Volunteer firefighters from at least eight departments battled the blaze, communicating with one another with loud speakers, as flames shot from the roof of the building on Route 21. The fire also heavily damaged a recently added miniature golf course.

Firefighters battled flames around downed power lines, and gas company workers came to the scene to shut off the gas supply.

Amy Revak, who lives next to the bowling alley, said her husband, Frank, was leaving their home to take food to a friend when he ran back into the house to call for help.

Revak said she looked outside and saw black smoke coming from the building.

“By the time the firemen arrived, there were flames,” she said. “It got into the roof and spread, and the roof just collapsed.”

The Revaks’ property is a couple of hundred yards away from the bowling alley.

The fire was called in at 12:38 p.m., according to an official from Fayette County 911.

Masontown Mayor Toni Petrus said the destruction of the bowling alley is a blow to the community. She estimated the business had been open since the mid-1960s.

“I can remember going down there as a kid and bowling. It’s a big loss for the area, and I feel really bad for the family,” she said. “I’m just glad no one was hurt.”

James Miscovich was visiting with family in Masontown when he looked out the window and saw clouds of black smoke. He said he was shocked by what he saw.

“It was like a movie. There were flames shooting out of the ceiling and they just kept coming,” he said.

Sheri James stood across the street from the burning business, stunned.

“This is such a terrible thing any time, let alone at Christmastime,” she said. “It seems like there’s always something bad happening around this time, but thankfully no one got hurt.”

An official from Fayette County 911 said that companies from Masontown, Edenborn, McClellandtown, Ronco, Adah, Footedale and Carmichaels and Nemacolin in Greene County responded.

Fayette EMS and the Salvation Army also responded to the scene, and a state police fire marshal was also called to the scene.

Property records from the Fayette County assessment website indicate that the bowling alley was built in 1965, and is owned by Joseph J. and Rosemary A. Pascia of Masontown.