Billy's Red Room Tavern Demolished After Fire: VIDEO

HANOVER, NJ — Six months after a fire totally destroyed Billy and Madeline's Red Room Tavern, the remains of the building were demolished.

The building was destroyed when a massive fire ripped through the Tavern in November 2017. The tavern, founded in 1933 as Fornaros Tavern, was renamed Billy's in 1959 when son Billy took over. Madeline was added to the name when Billy married Madeline in 1980, their website says.

NJ.com shared a video of the demolition, which shows Madeline Fornaro discussing the ordeal (watch above).

"When I went in the building after the fire, it was just unrecognizable, and we've been here all our lives," Fornaro said. She said she was sad to lose her home and possessions, but called it, "the beginning of a new life."

The fire began on the ground floor in the main kitchen, then-Morris County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Paul Merkler told Patch in December 2017. Because the second and third floor collapsed, investigators were unable to pinpoint the exact starting location. There was no evidence the fire was intentionally set.

Three men who worked quickly to save the lives of Madeline and Billy Fornaro were recognized by the county for their life saving actions in January. Kevin Bauer, Andy Mottram, and former Hanover firefighter Frank DeMaio arrived at the burning building several minutes before firefighters did, and freeholders credit their quick thinking with saving the lives of the Fornaros, both of whom are near 80 years-old.

The three men saw the flames and smoke coming from the tavern, and jumped out of their cars, running over to help. Mottrama and Bauer formed a human ladder to rescue Madeline Fornaro from a second floor bedroom, while DeMaio broke through the font door to locate and save Billy Fornaro.

Image: YouTube screenshot