MARYSVILLE — Damage is estimated to be at least $1 million from a two-alarm fire that erupted early Sunday morning at the Village Restaurant, a local landmark with a history dating to the 1930s.
“This is a big loss for the Marysville community,” said Marysville Fire Department spokeswoman Christie Veley. “It’s an iconic restaurant and a cherished landmark for all the people here.”
“It will take some time to rebuild,” she said.
Firefighters were called to the business at 220 Ash Ave. at 4 a.m. “Smoke and flames were coming from the building,” Veley said. “It went to a second alarm about 5 a.m.”
No injuries have been reported to restaurant workers or firefighters from the blaze. The last of the restaurant’s employees are believed to have left the building more than an hour before the fire broke out, she said.
Fire crews were wrapping up at 11 a.m. Sunday, seven hours after being dispatched.
The Snohomish County fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
The restaurant, known for its down-home cooking, its Wild Hare Bar and Grill, and karaoke nights, began as a pie house on old Highway 99 in Marysville in 1937. Lines formed around the restaurant daily to have a slice of pie, because no pies were sold for take-out, according to its website.
The restaurant was rebuilt as a small cafe near I-5, and continued with multiple expansions over the years.
It earned a loyal following. Customers quickly began posting messages on Facebook Sunday lamenting the restaurant’s destruction.
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