A landmark restaurant in San Bernardino was destroyed after a fire ripped through the building, causing the roof to collapse and charring a vintage Harley Davidson motorcycle said to have been ridden by daredevil Evel Knievel, as well as a 1900 concert baby grand piano, officials said.
The iconic 1929 building housed Pazzo's Italian and Pizza restaurant — where the iconic motorcycle and antique piano were destroyed — and the Rim of the World Sports Bar, along with an upstairs apartment and garage below, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
Cellphone video showed smoke billowing from the building.
The family of the owner said it was a devastating loss.
"It's very heartbreaking," Robin Herington said.
Firefighters responded to the building in the 23400 block of Crest Forest Drive in the San Bernardino National Forest at 3:23 p.m. Tuesday, the fire department said.
The upstairs apartment was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
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"There's so much history in there," Robert Upshaw, the owner's brother, said.
Firefighters attempted to save the motorcycle in the restaurant, which was bolted to the fireplace, but were unable to before the roof started to collapse, officials said.
"It was fast - within 20 minutes the entire thing was engulfed," said Crestline resident Otto Lieske.
More than 50 firefighters from San Bernardino County, Running Springs, Rialto and San Manuel Fire Departments, CalFire and the U.S. Forest Service responded to the fire.
Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency personnel also responded to ensure firefighters had sufficient water flow, officials said.
The fire burned for several hours because of its location and intensity.
Firefighters were able to save the garage located below the businesses, which sustained water and smoke damage.
A home right next to the blaze was spared from the flames, which relieved the resident - his home in Cedar Glen had gone up in flames in 2003.
"I literally feel like I got a second chance," Zachary Walinder said.
The restaurant was closed for the day, and customers at the sports bar were able to safely evacuate, according to officials.
The American Red Cross was working to help the resident of the apartment who was displaced.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but investigators believe it originated in the upstairs apartment.
