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Fire rips through iconic Bemus Point restaurant Wednesday night

OBSERVER Photo by Jimmy McCarthy. Several fire departments battle a structure fire at Ye Hare 'N Hounds in Bemus Point Wednesday night.

BEMUS POINT — Several area fire departments battled a stubborn structure fire Wednesday night at an iconic Bemus Point fine dining restaurant.

First responders were alerted after 9 p.m. to the blaze at Ye Hare ‘N Hounds Inn, 64 Lakeside Drive, in the village. The blaze reportedly began in the kitchen area, though an exact cause wasn’t immediately known.

Assisting Bemus Point was Chautauqua, Ellery Center, Busti, Ashville, Dewittville, Lakewood and Fluvanna fire departments. In addition, several ambulance crews from throughout the area were called to assist.

It wasn’t clear if there were any injuries.

Smoke continued to billow from the Lakeside Drive structure more than two hours after crews first arrived.

Several firefighters were also seen on the roof of the building.

According to the restaurant’s website, Ye Hare ‘n Hounds Inn — also known locally as Hare and Hounds — was built as a replica of an English inn.

It opened in 1915 as a private retreat for the Emery family, and was established as the Hare and Hounds restaurant in 1921.

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