A firefighter was injured while battling a fire that destroyed the Brighton Tavern early Saturday.
Brighton Fire Chief Mark Bodane said flames where shooting 30 feet into the air when crews arrived at 245 South Main Street at around 3 a.m.
"It was a very challenging fire because this is an older building that has a lot of additions. A lot of false ceilings and even some false roofs," he said.
Bodane said the firefighter hurt, an eight-year veteran, was hit by a heating and cooling unit that fell through the ceiling.
"It struck the firefighter on the head and knocked him down," Bodane said. "He was fine, but we took him to the hospital just to make sure, and he has been treated and released."
Investigators are now looking into what caused the fire. No one was inside when it sparked.
"From just my walking through the building, it looks like it will be a total loss," said Bodane.
Here's a closer look at the Brighton PD drone being used to get aerials of bar fire damage pic.twitter.com/EaFGqO1lJ1
— Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) September 19, 2015
The bar has been around for decades.
"It's just part of Brighton," said patron Scott Hernandez. "They'd see you walk in the door, they knew who you were. They'd have your drink sitting on the bar."
7NEWS reached owner Peggy Martin, 90, by phone. She said she has no plans to re-build.
"It's going to be definitely missed," said Dean Abeyta, a nearby business owner. "It's been here forever."
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