Cox's Pub reduced to debris

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - As the sun peeked through the clouds of smoke in the sky Wednesday morning, neighbors, employees and customers of Cox's Pub stood on the street in disbelief.

"Like I said, I was here at 1:00 this morning, getting done playing cards. And, there wasn't nothing going on then," said Mark Nydegger, a customer who was at Cox's Pub the night before.

The call came in at 9:41 Wednesday morning originally as a burglary call. Officer Mike Roberts was one of the first on the scene. He said it's believed that smoke set off the burglar alarm.

"Smelled smoke, smelled like something burning. When I checked the doors, it was locked. Then I saw puffs of smoke coming out of some of the construction seams, then backed off and called LFD," said Roberts.

( Photo gallery: Cox's Pub fire )

One of firefighters' biggest concerns was the Marathon station located right beside Cox's Pub. Earlier in the day, employees were told to evacuate and the station was shut-down.

"There are fuel pumps there. They shut their emergency switches off so there's no pressure to them. It just makes good sense to keep everybody back as far as we can," said Lafayette Fire Department (LFD) Chief Jim Morrow.

The American Red Cross was on hand assisting firefighters with water and food. At least one firefighter was injured as his leg was caught after crews on the ground began to move the ladder.

Firefighters battled the blaze for hours before calling an excavator to collapse the walls of the building.

Employee Dawn Summers has worked at Cox's Pub for 17 years and said it's emotional.

"I don't want to cry on TV, but now I don't have a job," said Summers.

A section of Schuyler Avenue in front of Cox's Pub was closed until 6:00 Wednesday evening. All roads are now re-opened. The owner, Eric Cox, said he did have insurance and plans to re-build.