The cafe and kitchen portion of Reilly’s Cafe in the village of Marathon was “destroyed” due to a cooking fire on Thursday, according to owner Scott Reilly on Facebook and Marathon Fire Chief Norm Forrest.
The Marathon Fire Department, with assistance from fire departments of Cortlandville and Killawog (Broome County), arrived at Reilly’s Cafe around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Marathon’s department responded within five minutes of the call, Forrest said.
Forrest noted that firefighters managed to “knock down” and have the fire “under control” within 20 minutes. Marathon’s department stayed on scene “for several hours” for investigation of the fire.
Photos via Scott Reilly -- Fire aftermath
Photos via Scott Reilly -- Fire aftermath
“With quick action by our employees and the tremendous work of our fire department there were no injuries, pets in the apartment upstairs were saved, and the building itself was saved as well,” Reilly noted via a Facebook post Thursday evening. “I don't have enough praise for all that were involved during this.”
Other than some “minor damage” to the apartments on the second floor of the building, Forrest said the structure “is still round and rebuildable,” as noted by Reilly.
The rest of Reilly’s Facebook post is as follows:
“As you know, for the last 25 years this has been my life's work and passion. I cannot describe the emotions that we are feeling at this time for myself and family and for the loyal employees that have been by my side all of these years. That being said, the support from the community has been heartfelt and comforting and I thank you all for it. I AM NOT GOING OUT LIKE THIS!!! We will rebuild and be back serving the community of Marathon and beyond as soon as we can!! It will take some time, but the ball is already rolling and I'm excited for the process to begin and to be able to see you all again. Until then, I wish you all health and happiness.”
Further details surrounding the fire and Reilly’s impending rebuilding process have yet to be determined.
