A fire broke out at Jackie O’s Public House Restaurant in Athens, resulting in extensive damage.
The Athens Fire Department arrived shortly after 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 for a fire at the brewpub located at 22 W. Union St. after receiving reports of smoke visible less than half a mile from the building, according to alerts from locals on Facebook.
The Plains and Richland Area volunteer fire departments assisted Athens firefighters in putting out the fire, according to an incident report from AFD.
The fire spread above the ceiling tiles into the void space around the kitchen hood vent. Flames were also visible from the roof, and firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, the fire department said.
When firefighters arrived no alarms were sounding inside Jackie O’s, but they activated shortly after crews entered, the report stated. The Union Bar at 18 W. Union St. and residents of nearby apartments were evacuated. Firefighters opened a section of wall between Jackie O’s and The Union to ensure flames had not spread.
Power was shut off to the kitchen area and a rooftop HVAC unit that had carried smoke through the building.
There were no injuries or casualties from the fire.
Firefighters contained the blaze to the kitchen area, but both Jackie O’s Public House and The Union sustained significant smoke and water damage. Their reopening dates are unknown.
Hip Hop Shop, a monthly open-stage hip-hop showcase, temporarily postponed its show and announced on Facebook that The Union will be closed for cleaning until further notice.
When will Jackie O’s reopen?
The Athens brewery posted an update on social media early afternoon Nov. 5. In the post, they said the Public House would be closed until “further notice,” which could be “through the end of the year.”
The brewer’s original Brewpub, which is located next door to the restaurant, will be open until 2 a.m. going forward, however, according to the post.
The Public House is part of Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery, founded in 2005 in Athens and considered a fixture of Ohio University’s campus culture. Its Columbus location, Jackie O’s on Fourth, at 171 N. Fourth St., opened in May 2023.
Fire officials said they are awaiting information from insurance representatives to determine the total loss amount.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Restaurant at beloved Athens, Ohio brewery Jackie O’s damaged in fire
Reporting by Amani Bayo, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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