Scudzy’s Newport Tavern destroyed in fire

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FORT LORAMIE — Scudzy’s Newport Tavern, a longtime staple in area, has been destroyed by a fire on Friday afternoon.

“I’d say it looks like a total loss,” said Fort Loramie Fire Chief Brad Schulze. “The structure is still standing, but I would say it is a total loss, especially with the age of the building. It is a very old building.”

The cause of the fire is still officially undetermined and is currently under investigation, but Schulze said it appears to have been electrical in nature, and originated in the kitchen area of the business. Fort Loramie Fire is working with Sidney Fire Department’s Investigation Unit on the investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

No one was inside, including the owner of the bar and grill, Charles “Chuck” Goubeaux, at the time of the incident, which was initially called in by a neighbor at 1:34 p.m. on Friday, July 29. A neighbor smelled the smoke and called 911, Schulze said. This was around the same time Goubeaux arrived to his business. Goubeaux also lived above the bar and has been displaced by the fire.

Schulze said he was not present Friday, and Lt. Jake Koverman, the incident commander, informed him they “knocked the fire down in about an hour” but were on scene longer to deal with hot spots.

“The kitchen area, where the origin was, it was very heavy involved with heavy smoke and pretty heavy fire, and coming out the windows, at that time upon arrival,” Schulze said Koverman reported. “And shortly after we were there, maybe 10 or 15 minutes, from what I saw on the call log, the fire burned itself through the roof, and started to extend. But for the most part, the fire was contained to the kitchen area. But, of course, you will have smoke and water damage all throughout.”

Assisting Fort Loramie Fire were, Fort Loramie EMS; Houston, Lockington, Minster, New Bremen, Osgood, Russia, Versailles and Sidney Fire Departments; and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. The Shelby County American Cross also responded to assist Goubeaux.

No one, including first responders, was injured during the incident.

Two fundraisers have been established to also assist Goubeaux, including a GoFundMe page and a fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 14, at 1 p.m. at Joe & Jean’s Town Tavern, 103 State Route 274, Chickasaw. Joe & Jean’s Town Tavern plans to have food, music and raffle 50/50 tickets.

Joe Puthoff, owner of Joe & Jean’s Town Tavern, said they wanted to get involved to help because, “We were partners together for a while at Duckfoots along Lake St. Marys there and we became real good friends (with Goubeaux). I had fire here back in 2000, so I know what he is going through.”

He said there will be no cost to get in, and the money from food sales and a portion (minus their cost) of liquor sales will go to Goubeaux, along with the 50/50 tickets.

“We got to do what we can do. We just need a good afternoon,” Puthoff said.

Visit Town Tavern’s Facebook page to learn more information about the upcoming fundraiser.

Scudzy’s Newport Tavern caught fire in Newport. Firefighters from Houston, Lockington, Minster, New Bremen, Osgood, Russia, Versailles and Sidney responded.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2022/08/web1_SDN080222BarFire-1.jpgScudzy’s Newport Tavern caught fire in Newport. Firefighters from Houston, Lockington, Minster, New Bremen, Osgood, Russia, Versailles and Sidney responded. Amy Chupp | Sidney Daily News
Fundraisers set

By Sheryl Roadcap

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