Call #52 Sweetwater Casino for a Structure Fire.
The Elwood Fire Company along with Sweetwater, Nesco, and Weekstown were called to the report of a structure fire at The Sweetwater Casino at 4:10am on June 30th. On arrival crews found heavy fire through the roof. Mutual aid was immediately called in from Hammonton, Egg Harbor and Lower bank. Shortly after the Tanker Task Force was called. The fire continued to rage out of control for hours. Over 12 other companies were called in to assist in battling the blaze. Unfortunately the restaurant and bar were destroyed.
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Sweetwater Casino in Mullica Township Destroyed in Early Morning Fire
From the Atlantic City Press On-Line Posted: Monday, June 30, 2008
Flames gutted the landmark Sweetwater Casino here Monday morning, with investigators saying the fire may have been started by a 2 a.m. lightning strike.
Sweetwater Fire Department Chief Gary Franklin said there’s no indication of arson, even through officials from the state fire marshall’s office are on the scene.
According to Franklin, residents living near the restaurant said a lightning strike from a fast-moving storm struck the area around 2 a.m. Many of the residents left their homes to check for damage, he said.
The Sweetwater Casino’s fire alarms started sounding at 4:17 a.m., eventually drawing units from more than 12 area fire departments to the scene, he said. Firefighters pumped water from the nearby Mullica River to pour onto the blazing building, he said.
The fire was reported under control at 9:45 a.m., according to Franklin, although firefighters remained on the scene for some time.
Franklin said no one was in the building when the fire began. There were no reported injuries, he said.
Anyone with photos and stories of their experiences at the Sweetwater Casino should contact Press
Staff Writer Emily Previti at 609-272-7221.
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Mullica's Sweetwater Casino Destroyed in Monday Morning Blaze
By ERIC SCOTT CAMPBELL
From the Atlantic City Press Published: Tuesday, July 01, 2008
MULLICA TOWNSHIP - Fire destroyed the Sweetwater Casino, an iconic riverside restaurant and a linchpin of the township's sparse business community, early Monday morning. The cause is unknown, but lightning from an overnight storm is a suspect, said Chief Gary Franklin of the Sweetwater Volunteer Fire Department. Residents of nearby houses off Seventh Avenue heard a tremendous thunder clap at about 2 a.m. The restaurant's fire alarm activated about 4:15 a.m.
The fire had consumed the whole building and had broken through the roof by the time firefighters from several township companies arrived minutes later, Franklin said. Co-owner Joseph Cavalieri said nothing inside could be saved.
"It's just devastating," said Mar-garet Hillman, the restaurant's deck manager for nine years and one of the dozens who stared grimly at the wreckage from the river side. "There's so many memories here."
There are no hydrants near the restaurant, so crews had to pump water out of the Mullica River. Sprinklers were only available in the kitchen, according to Franklin. The fire was under control by about 9:45 a.m., Franklin said, and didn't spread beyond the 11-acre property to the adjacent neighborhoods.
No one was hurt, although one of the 40 firefighters on the scene suffered heart arrhythmia outside the building and was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Campus, in Galloway Township. Temperatures were in the mid-80s at the scene, and cloud cover was scarce. Cavalieri and Jeff Anastasi, onetime colleagues in the mortgage industry, bought the restaurant three years ago. Anastasi had previous restaurant experience, and Cavalieri remembered coaxing his friend into the venture.
"Other places might have been easier," Cavalieri said, but the 81-year history and riverside location were selling points.
Will the partners rebuild?
"That's the plan," Cavalieri said. He doesn't know how much the insurance policy will help.
A wedding had been scheduled at the restaurant for the coming weekend, and the annual Sweetwater Regatta, which benefits a different ill child every year, was slated for next month. The restaurant rents boat slips on the river. The crafts there weren't damaged, but their owners don't know what will happen to their arrangements.
Valued at $1.1 million, Sweetwater Casino - no gambling here, despite the name - is the second-biggest business in Mullica Township. It and Ocean Yachts combined are worth nearly a quarter of the township's commercial tax base, which itself is 25 times less than the combined value of the homes.
"It's got to be several cents on our tax rate," said Kathy Chasey, the township committeewoman in charge of development. "In a town with very few ratables, it's a phenomenal blow."
The owners will still owe property taxes at their last assessed value through the end of the year, township officials said. They paid $38,250 last year.
Township police and the state fire marshal's office are investigating through Wednesday, Franklin said. More than a dozen companies responded to the fire or covered for those who did.
Rocco Denmead, a dishwasher for 19 years, could barely speak above a whisper as he looked at his ruined workplace. For now, he has to move on, and he has a lead on another job.
To e-mail Eric Scott Campbell at The Press:
ECampbell@pressofac.com
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Sweetwater Fire Leaves Regulars Without Afternoon Beer
By EMILY PREVITI Staff Writer, 609-272-7221
From the Atlantic City Press Published: Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Known for its horseradish-infused cheese and huge windows overlooking the Pine Barrens and Mullica River, the Sweetwater Casino’s rustic setting belied its popularity. The bar, restaurant and marina were a destination for boaters on the Mullica, generations of families, bikers on their Sunday rides through the woods and a legion of about 30 regulars who stayed loyal through the winters.
The early Monday morning fire that demolished the landmark also destroyed decades of history hung on the walls: photos of the 81-year-old restaurant and historic scenes of Atlantic City; menus signed by television personalities, politicians and former Miss Americas; and an invitation to a 1936 New Years’ Eve party requiring guests to spend at least $1, the favorite of former owner Alesia Shute, who sold the restaurant three years ago.
The establishment’s name came from “The Heiress of Sweetwater,” a novel about the the American Revolution that fictionally dubbed the Pleasant Mills area Sweetwater, according to Ron Bates, trustee of the Buena Historical Society.
The affection among patrons, owners and employees, however, was very real: Everyone interviewed expressed regret at the loss of the building, concern for the owners and fondness toward their memories of the restaurant.
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“It was like a family. When you came in, they’d know your name and face, plus people would come for the atmosphere. It’s absolutely gorgeous. … I know once the restaurant’s back up, they’ll be back, everybody will be back.” Margaret Hillman, of Washington Township, Burlington County, deck manager for nine years, and diner every Sunday since 1984
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“We went there for our … first wedding anniversary, and we were expecting a baby. We thought it was very romantic, that’s why we picked it. … It was a really happy memory.” Alyce Parker, lifelong area resident, married 24 years.
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“The place has so much to say because it has so much history. And so many families, full families, were either employed there or frequented there for so long that it’s a sad thing to say goodbye to. That fascinated me, that the place had that kind of longevity.” Alesia Shute, previous owner, still a regular
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“All the local people that you know are there. It’s a good place to go to socialize and talk to people because, you know, we live in the woods.” Rita Riek, Sweetwater resident and weekly restaurant patron for 32 years
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“Our customers through the years have become some of our best friends. … It was like going to a funeral.” Kathy Gitto, waitress for 20 years, on the scene of the fire Monday morning
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“Where are the guys going to have their afternoon beer?” Cathy Egan, banquet manager for five years, on the regulars
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“We went there … three or four times a year. I don’t recall ever having a bad dining experience. You can’t beat the setting: the rustic nature of it, the location of it.”
Jim Walsh, retired U.S. Postal Service employee in South Carolina, who lived in Little Egg Harbor Township for 18 years
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“Friends of ours didn’t know where Green Creek is, but they knew where the Sweetwater Casino is. Everybody knows this place.” Bill Schaefer and Vera Stea, of Green Creek, Washington Township, who kayaked to the scene of the blaze
E-mail Emily Previti: EPreviti@pressofac.com
