Burnt Bar is ‘Collapse Risk,’ Slated for Demolition

A Kent bar that burst into flames during the holiday weekend has been slated for demolition.

The building in Kent’s South End that housed Checkers N Trophies bar at 352 W. Elm St. has been cordoned off by city officials and declared a collapse risk after a blaze gutted the two-story structure Monday night.

Kent Fire Chief Dave Manthey said the blaze, which firefighters from eight area departments battled for five hours, rendered the building a total loss.

“Due to structural compromise (it) has been slated for demolition later this week,” Manthey said via a press release.

Management for the bar, which has hosted local bands and artists in recent years, declined to be interviewed for this story.

The music venue, described by a featured musician as “Off the beaten path,” had hosted Crossface, a Cleveland band, on Aug. 31, according to its Facebook page.

Fans of the venue took to its Facebook page to lament its possible demise.

Manthey said firefighters responded to a small fire at the venue early Sunday before it became fully engulfed in flames just after 9 p.m.

“The fire is under investigation and a tie between an earlier fire at the same location is being sought,” he said.

He asked residents avoid the building due to the potential for collapse.

“The site is very unstable,” he said.

The property is owned by William Savory, according to Portage County Auditor’s Office online records.