SYKSVILLE, Md. (WMAR) — Customers are sad and shocked after fire destroyed a community staple in Carroll County.
Heading down Highway 26 in Sykesville thousands of people have popped by for some pit beef or a breakfast sandwich at Bolen's Bull Pen.
RELATED: Fire destroys Bolen's Bull Pen in Carroll County
On Tuesday night flames made the hometown favorite unrecognizable.
“All of a sudden the roof was engulfed in a minute,” said Danielle Puga who works next door at Amante Pizza and Pasta. “We heard a pop and a mushroom cloud shot up and the roof collapsed and was on the ground.”
The small, family-operated BBQ joint covered in pictures on the walls turned into a pile of rubble and ashes.
“It was like horrifying and mesmerizing to watch how fast it went and how quickly the whole place was engulfed in flames,” said Tim Phelps the Co-owner of Sykesville Martial Arts
Puga loved the sausage and gravy, her dog was a big fan of the chipped beef.
“My pit bull puppy loved their food. The owner would always bring her out food to the car the leftovers and stuff he had and he was a great guy.”
Officials said the building was a total loss. Officials with the State Fire Marshal estimate the loss to be around $500,000.00.
The Fire Marshal's Office said no foul play is suspected, but they're continuing to investigate the exact cause of the fire.
“My heart goes out to them. Just to see how quickly it happened," said Phelps. "My first thought was is anyone in there my second one was just as a local small business owner in Sykesville just to see that happen is hear wrenching.”
Bolen's Bull Pen has been a family owned carryout since 1999.
