St. Patrick’s Day didn’t do go so well for the First Ward House in St. Joseph, Missouri. Check out the pre-arrival video below and the early commotion as people went back inside the burning building. Part of the building is 137-years-old and used to be a hang out for Bonnie and Clyde. Thanks to Adam Neff for sending this to STATter911.
The “Oldest Saloon West of the Mississippi” was gutted by fire Tuesday evening.
A blaze at the First Ward House at 2101 St Joseph Avenue spread to a business, a residence and a tree across Grand Avenue. By 7:15pm about 100 people were milling about the neighborhood watching fire destroy the historic structure.
No injuries were reported. A witness says there were about 40 patrons inside the club when the fire broke out. They all made it out safely.
Shortly after 6 p.m., the St. Joseph Fire Department responded to a fire at 2101 St. Joseph Ave. on the deck of First Ward. As firefighters sprayed the back of the St. Joseph landmark, the fire was carried across Grand Avenue by fast winds.
Paris Jenkins, battalion chief, said 26 firefighters were on the scene at the two-alarm fire, which didn’t result in any injuries. He said it was reported to the Fire Department that everyone had been evacuated safely.
Built in 1878, the First Ward House is often called the oldest saloon west of the Mississippi River, a former brothel, and a hangout for the infamous Bonnie and Clyde.
Footage showed flames pouring from the First Ward House. Fire officials could not give a damage assessment. #StJoMo pic.twitter.com/3XOQiVnnza
— newspressnow.com (@newspressnow) March 18, 2015
Glad the people made it out of “the oldest bar west of the Mississippi. @FirstWardHouse pic.twitter.com/nfO7e1XWnt
— Southern Fellowship (@DevilFellowship) March 18, 2015
