OBSERVER Photo Firefighters are pictured in August at Heenan's Irish Pub in Fredonia.

Shortly after 3:10 p.m. Monday, hundreds were gathering around Main and Eagle streets in Fredonia as smoke wafted from near the rooftops of Heenan’s Irish Pub. Some, obviously, came to witness the blaze. Others were there to support the establishment’s owner Shaun Heenan.

Heenan was surrounded by friends who offered handshakes and hugs as he helplessly watched firefighters battle the blaze that began on the outside of the 39 E. Main St. two-story structure that he has overseen for more than three decades. By 4:15 p.m., members of the Fredonia Fire Department, Dunkirk Fire Department, East Dunkirk and Sheridan had the blaze under control.

Damage to the Eagle Street side of the building, however, is heavy. Firefighters began arriving shortly after 3, when the fire was reported. Those on the scene began tearing off siding and breaking through the walls on the south side of the structure where flames were visible from where the circuit box had been located.

Once Dunkirk arrived to assist, it was an impressive – though unfortunate – sight as both the largest departments of the north county surrounded the structure two stories above the street as they worked together in aerial ladder trucks to quickly douse the blaze.

Fredonia fire chief Joshua Myers praised the work by all to keep damage as minimal as possible. “Our guys got out in seconds and they had water on the fire within minutes,” he said.

Myers said the fire appeared to begin on the exterior before moving to a the wall cavity and working its way up to the second floor where an apartment was heavily damaged. Crews entered the building once smoke and flames dissipated and made an important find for one resident by locating her keys.

Traffic on Main Street was being diverted from Water Street to White Street for about two hours due to the fire. Meyers said investigators were on their way late Monday afternoon to determine the cause of the blaze.

Chautauqua County Emergency Management Services also assisted.