The cause of a three-alarm fire over the weekend that destroyed the Morehead Tavern in Charlotte is still under investigation.
“Due to the complete structural collapse, determining the exact cause of the fire presents challenges for investigators,” the Charlotte Fire Department said in a post on X.
Officials with the Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force said they have determined, however, that the fire started in a basement bar.
The fire broke out sometime between 7 and 8 a.m. Saturday at the bar and nightclub on East Morehead Street.
As crews fought the fire, officials said the roof and upper-level floor collapsed into the structure. It took crews a little over two hours to get the blaze under control.
No injuries were reported, officials said.
“The dedication and quick action of our firefighters prevented what could have been a far worse outcome,” Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson said in a social media post. “Their ability to make decisive, tactical decisions under extreme conditions speaks to their training and professionalism.”
The fire resulted in a roughly $150,000 loss, according to officials.
The investigation into the fire is ongoing.