Breaking News: Fire at the downtown Waffle Shop

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The Alpha Fire Company responded to a fire tonight at the downtown Waffle Shop. The intersection of E. College Ave. and S. Garner St. is shut down.

Operations Supervisor for CATA, Steven Plank, said the CATA busses are being diverted down to University Dr. up to Pugh St. and then back over to E. College Ave. and S. Allen St.

“The unfortunate thing is we do have patrons that are trying to catch a bus at Millenium Science and, obviously, the White Building,” Plank said.

The Lion’s Den, a bar behind The Waffle Shop, and The Family Clothesline, a next-door storefront, both appear to be shut down.

Bouncer/bartender at Lion’s Den, Tommy Davis, said he heard about the fire from one of his coworkers as the employees were getting ready to open.

“There was a whole lot of smoke coming from the inside of Waffle Shop, and there was only one police officer there,” Davis said.

Three fire engines appeared on the scene at a moment’s notice, according to Davis. All Lion’s Den employees, including the owner, evacuated the building and the breakers were shut off.

The cause of the fire has not yet been reported by The Alpha Fire Company. This is a developing story; follow along with CommRadio’s coverage.

McKenna Wall is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email mew6140@psu.edu.