88-year-old Youngstown restaurant demolished hours after crews respond to fire

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — An 88-year-old restaurant in Youngstown was demolished Saturday afternoon after multiple fire engines responded to a fire at the restaurant earlier in the day.

Youngstown Fire Department, EMS and Ohio Edison responded to the scene around 11 a.m. to reports of a fire at Torch Club Bar & Grille on Salt Springs Road, which is connected to Isabella’s Market.

Later in the day, it was demolished for safety, according to the YFD.

Youngstown Fire Chief Barry Finley said the fire started in the garage in the back of the building and spread to the bar.

No one was injured, and the bar was closed at the time.

It is unclear how the fire started, and an investigation is ongoing.

The bar was built in 1936 and was formerly known as Club Merry-Go-Round. It was a popular music spot over the decades, with Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald making appearances.

First News will continue to update this developing story.

Wilson Corbisello and Joe Gorman contributed to this report.

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