Johnny Angel's - Thoughts and Prayers!

Marsman365 · Post by **Marsman365** » Tuesday Feb 03, 2009

I was just on the phone with my parents in PA, and they said there is a 5 alarm fire at Johnny Angel's in Portage. I hope this isn't true.

Please keep Johnny Gartland (aka JANGEL on Rockpage), his family, and any patrons in your thoughts and prayers! I hope everyone is safe!

Johnny runs a great business, great food and atmosphere, has supported live music over the years, and has been in several successful bands over the years.

If anyone hears anything and can provide updates, please post!

Hawk · Post by **Hawk** » Tuesday Feb 03, 2009

Johnny's a good guy. I hope it's just a rumor.

soundman8199 · Post by **soundman8199** » Tuesday Feb 03, 2009

I don't know what time this thread was posted, but cresson's fire whistle went off this evening, they could've been responding to it.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Tuesday Feb 03, 2009

I hope its not true, John's a good guy. He has so much irreplaceable memorabilia on the walls, it would really be a shame. If it is true I hope everyone is safe and wish John the best. This will be in my thoughts.

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Tuesday Feb 03, 2009

Not a word about this on Fox 8 10:00 news.

I hope nothing has happened to Johnny Angel's.

Post by **Jim Price** » Tuesday Feb 03, 2009

TV-10 showed it on the 11 PM news. Apparently they needed extra tankers at the scene of the fire. No word on the extent of damage; the footage showed smoke coming from the rear (kitchen area). Hopefully damage was limited, and the business is not a total loss.

I ate dinner there once last year, with Big Jim. I was amazed at all the memorabilia, and the food was great. I too hope for the best for John, and that the damage is minimal.

DrumAndDestroy · Post by **DrumAndDestroy** » Wednesday Feb 04, 2009

hopefully no one was hurt.

Marsman365 · Post by **Marsman365** » Wednesday Feb 04, 2009

From WTAJTV.com

Cambria County Tavern Catches Fire

Tuesday, February 3, 2009
CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. -- It was a busy Tuesday night for fire crews in Portage as a local tavern goes up in smoke.

Officials said a Penndot truck driver first saw the smoke coming out of Johnny Angels Bar and Grill in Portage. He was driving by and called it in.

When fire crews arrived on scene, smoke was billowing out of the second floor where there are a few apartments. At this point there's no word on if any of them had tenants.

The bar was closed Tuesday night. No one was hurt in the blaze. However crews did have to make several trips to a hydrant about a mile away to fill up tankers.

Portage is the last year or so has seen two other fires that were bothed ruled arson. However Portage Fire Chief Ray Lee said at this point they don't believe Tuesday's fire is suspicious. Lee said it likely started in the kitchen area, near a furnace. He said the flue pipe could have something to do with it.

If the flue pipe turns out to be to blame, that's the same cause believed to have started to the fire at Carmen's Tires in Oakland. Both of the fires are still under investigation.

DirtySanchez · Post by **DirtySanchez** » Wednesday Feb 04, 2009

I met John at RFTT at Heritage Plaza. Great dude. I wish him the best.

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Wednesday Feb 04, 2009

It is good that nobody was hurt. I hope all the best for John and his family. He is a great guy and musician and we have become friends over the years.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Wednesday Feb 04, 2009

I just want to add to what everyone here has said. John's a great guy, and I hope that he can recover from this.

PanzerFaust · Post by **PanzerFaust** » Wednesday Feb 04, 2009

Sounds like a real shame.....

What kind of memorabilia was on the walls?

Post by **Jim Price** » Wednesday Feb 04, 2009

He had lots of classic concert posters, photos, records and plaques, 45's and other memorabilia, much dating back to the 50's, 60's and 70's. There were also some local music posters and pictures from the past as well. It was like a local edition of the Hard Rock Cafe!

You can see some of it on the wall behind the band in these two photos I took there last July:

PanzerFaust · Post by **PanzerFaust** » Wednesday Feb 04, 2009

Oh man.. That would make me just want to cry... I couldn't imagine how sick I would feel if all that got lost....

Is that Zappa poster signed? or is it just the light?

Very sad indeed.... Wish I would have been able to check out some of that stuff but I've never been there.......

Peace, Tood

Marsman365 · Post by **Marsman365** » Wednesday Feb 04, 2009

Update from wtajtv.com

"...The fire was under control in about an hour, and major damage was confined to the basement. The bar area suffered minimal smoke damage.

Hartline {Gartland}, who has owned the bar for 17 years, said he will reopen the business."

http://www.wjactv.com/news/18640391/detail.html

Sounds like most of the bar was spared and no one was injured! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

f.sciarrillo · Post by **f.sciarrillo** » Wednesday Feb 04, 2009

That is good to hear that it wasn't a total loss.

jangel · Post by **jangel** » Thursday Feb 05, 2009

I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind comments and concerns.
I want to update on the fire...no one was hurt...the main concern. No one was in the bar, the damage was centered on the south side of the building...cellar kitchen storage rooms & office. the bar and memorabilia was spared.....heavy smoke in this area. However we are going to repair and reopen. There are rumors that I was going to close the place....this is not true. again thank you all for your concerns , myself and family are thankful no one was hurt.....maybe just my pride. I'll keep anyone interested on when re reopen......Thanks everyone

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Thursday Feb 05, 2009

That's great news John!! Thanks for the quick update. I'm glad that no one was injured, and the memorabilia is intact.

We wish you nothing but the best as you prepare to reopen.

YankeeRose · Post by **YankeeRose** » Thursday Feb 05, 2009

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » Thursday Feb 05, 2009

John, as a fellow bar owner, I can imagine what you are going through....it would be hard to work through all of the rumors and speculations when you have real issues to deal with. Just ignore them. Go forth and get things taken care of that are important - Getting it reopened! If we ever make it out that way, we'll be sure to stop in and visit. Looks like a neat place..how do you prevent people from stealing the stuff from the walls????

Glad damage wasn't any worse and that no one was injured.

PanzerFaust · Post by **PanzerFaust** » Friday Feb 06, 2009

Lisa wrote:how do you prevent people from stealing the stuff from the walls????

That's exactly my first thought.....

I could see me waking up hung over not remembering much from the night before wondering where the hell that Frank Zappa poster came from

Luckily I haven't been that drunk in years... Too many times waking up to faces uglier than Franks !!

jangel · Post by **jangel** » Friday Feb 06, 2009

Lisa wrote:
how do you prevent people from stealing the stuff from the walls????

Well most of the pics and posters are screwed in at the frames....very time consuming to put up......and yes we have had a few things stolen and some times you will find screws lose or unscrewed part way. But most people like to walk around and view the material.....brings back memories is the comment by most people. It makes me feel good.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Saturday Feb 07, 2009

Hey Johnny, its good to hear that all is not lost, especially the irreplaceable. If you need any help on the rebuild, give a PM.