MILAN, Ind. — The Hog Rock Cafe, a longtime fixture in the small town of Milan, was reduced to rubble by an overnight fire on Wednesday. One by one, heartbroken customers stopped by on Thanksgiving to look at the wreckage.
“Not only have we lost a local business that struggled through and made it through COVID, now we’ve lost a definite landmark and we’ve lost a lot of history,” said Mrala Eedoch, who worked at the restaurant as a teenager.
A look at fire at the Hog Rock Cafe in Milan, IN. Fire started Wednesday night around 10pm. A part of the building has collapsed, and multiple tankers have been called in to bring water. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/FxrSRudsnX
— Adam Schrand (@AdamSchrand) November 26, 2020
A member of the cafe's staff told WCPO via Facebook Thursday afternoon: "We would prefer not to talk today. We are heartbroken and devastated."
The cause of the fire remained under investigation Thursday night.
Firefighters said the fire started Wednesday night on the second floor of the building and spread to the roof. By the time fire teams arrived at 10 p.m., the fire was so hot none of them could actually enter the building.
They battled it from outside, dousing it early Thursday morning. The damage was so severe that part of the structure collapsed during the night, firefighters said.
Milan Fire Chief confirms no one was injured in this fire that started Wednesday night at the Hog Rock Cafe in Milan, IN. Building is a total loss, fire started on the 2nd floor and made its way through the roof. A fire inspector has been called to determine a cause. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/z38eRjL6hO
— Adam Schrand (@AdamSchrand) November 26, 2020
No injuries were reported in the fire.
