Fire That Destroyed Billy's Red Room Tavern Started In Kitchen

HANOVER, NJ — The fire that destroyed Billy and Madeline's Red Room Tavern started in the kitchen and was not intentional, a spokesperson for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office told Patch.

The Nov. 27 fire began on the ground floor in the main kitchen, spokesperson Paul Merkler told Patch. 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.

• Read more: Fire Destroys Billy & Madeline's Red Room In Hanover

Four people were injured in the fire. They were all treated for smoke inhalation at Morristown Medical Center.

The tavern was destroyed and is "uninhabitable," Merkler told Patch.

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.

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