BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Old Pink, a popular bar on Allen Street in Buffalo, was destroyed in a fire early Monday morning.

The fire was first reported around 5:45 a.m. Monday with flames and heavy smoke coming from the bar. The fire was mostly put out by 7 a.m. as flames were no longer coming from the building. Officials confirmed that the building cannot be saved and was too far gone by the time crews arrived and an emergency demolition was ordered. Damages were estimated at $1.25 million.

Officials said that there is one area of the building that they are concentrating on for the cause, but it is still under investigation. When fire crews arrived there were workers who were leaving, but nobody was inside of the building.

Allen Street between College Street and Mariner Street is currently closed as crews investigate the blaze. Additional closures include Elmwood Avenue between Virginia Street and North Street and Wadsworth Street between Allen and St. Johns Place.

According to the bar’s Instagram page, it was established in 1990. The bar became beloved in the Allentown neighborhood and across Buffalo, known for its steak and bologna sandwiches as well as its music.

“It’s definitely just so sad to see. so many people have so many memories in there, I’m thinking about the steak sandwiches, all the good times when the bars are closing the pink’s always open,” said Buffalo resident Amanda Lopez, who lives across the street. “It’s always available to people, so I know it’s going to be tough for a lot of people to deal with. It’s been there for so long, not even just for my generation but generations before me.”

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.

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