Indiana State Fire Marshal investigators seek information from the public about any suspicious activity near the Rod & Gun Steakhouse in Rosedale, which was destroyed by a Monday evening fire.
Image courtesy WTHI-TV and Indiana State Fire Marshal
The historic eatery near the Wabash River west of Rosedale was once known as a hideaway for gangsters and politicians during the Prohibition Era. The fire resulted in a near-total loss for the current owner, who noted a significant amount of memorabilia was lost during the fire. The original club burned in 1970 and a new building was built on the same site.
The Otter Creek Fire Department arrived on the scene at 2525 E. Lambert Ave. just after 10 p.m. Monday to find flames coming through the roof of the building. The fire grew so large that more than a dozen departments responded.
Fire investigators reported the current owner called 911 after noticing the fire from an upstairs apartment in the building. The fire patterns indicate the fire likely started in a van adjacent to the house, although the actual cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Due to the somewhat remote location of the business, investigators are hopeful somebody may have witnessed activity in the area while driving by. Anyone with information is asked to call the Indiana Arson hotline at 1-800-382-4628.
