Story/Photos by DAVE B WEIMER

At 0627 hours on Wednesday October 9, 2002 the Walden Fire District was alerted to a structure fire at Sweeny's Bar & Grill at 33 Orange Avenue. A short time later Chief George Ronk arrived to find heavy fire showing from the rear of the large two and a half story frame structure.

The two and a half story balloon frame construction building has long served as a popular meeting place in the Village of Walden. Fire spread rapidly within the walls to the attic and eventually through the roof.

Assisting Walden on the scene were units from Wallkill, Montgomery, Coldenham, Maybrook, Orange Lake, Pine Bush, Bullville, Town of Montgomery Vol. Ambulance and Orange County Fire Coordinators Cars 1 & 12. There were many companies on standby including: Winona Lake, Modena and Good Will.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Orange County Arson Investigation Unit. The fire destroyed the building and most of the contents. Units were on the scene for approximately four hours.