Pub Room Honors W.Va. Firefighter Who Saved It

Jan. 29--BECKLEY -- McBee's Irish Pub in uptown Beckley dedicated a room to the brave firefighters who were able to contain the Jan. 2 fire in Beckley, preventing the loss of other historic structures -- including the pub itself.

McBee's General Manager Joe Pack said the newly dedicated room, from now on to be known as "The Firehouse," is a way to honor the heroic efforts put forth by Beckley, Beaver and Lester fire departments.

The Firehouse is the brick dining room downstairs, just off from the bar.

The room is decorated with donated pictures from Beckley Fire Department, with room for more memorabilia to be added over the years.

After the dedication, City Fire Marshal Capt. Kevin Price presented Pack with a plaque to add to the room. The plaque features Register-Herald photographer Chris Tilley's front page photo of the fire.

"It is really nice of them to dedicate this room to us. I don't want to sound cliche, but we were just doing our job," said Price. "A lot of prayers were thrown up that night, and I would personally like to thank you for that. We were fortunate that no one got hurt. That is the main thing."

All proceeds from those who attended the dedication will go to the one business that did not have insurance, said Pack.

Pack added that owner Dan Bickey is preparing to open a playhouse and coffee shop downtown, a continuation of his efforts to refurbish downtown Beckley.

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Copyright 2012 - The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.Va.