Lake Shasta, Calif. – A fire that broke out late Sunday night destroyed the Pizza Pub at Silverthorn Resort on Lake Shasta, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
The fire, reported around 10:30 p.m., quickly spread to nearby brush and trees. Firefighters worked throughout the night to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading further into the brush, Cal Fire officials said.
Silverthorn Resort officials declined to comment on the fire Monday but expressed their intent to rebuild in a Facebook post.
“For many years, thousands of people enjoyed this beloved place, known not only as Merle Haggard’s local stage but also as a venue for hundreds of bands and local artists who shared that stage over the years,” the post read. “An infinite amount of memories and nostalgia surround this place, not just for the owners but for the thousands of visitors who have enjoyed our beautiful area and Shasta Lake over the years.”
Cal Fire said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Danielle Roberts of Sacramento, who was at the resort Monday morning, watched crews work on the remnants of the building. Roberts recounted how she had been on a houseboat across the lake when she heard a pop and saw a small fire break out in the restaurant area.
“We thought there were three trees on fire at the pizza place. We weren’t sure, but we could see it from across the lake, and we could hear it every time it sounded like a propane tank in the restaurant or something. We kept hearing little pops, and it would flare up for a second, but it was a good hour it seemed like at least before they were able to get it out,” she said.
Roberts, who frequently visits the marina to rent a houseboat, lamented the loss of the restaurant where she and her family would often sit to enjoy a beer and a meal while waiting for their boat.
“It’s definitely a big loss. And I know they have live music,” she said.
Despite the fire, the marina and dock at the resort will remain open. However, the cabins will not be available for the remainder of the summer season, according to the resort’s Facebook post.