LOWER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — A large fire drew several fire companies and devastated a popular banquet hall early Sunday.
Fire consumed The Moon of Saucon Valley, formerly The Meadows, at 1770 Meadows Road, just outside Hellertown.
Photos on social media showed heavy smoke, flames and damage.
Firefighters battled the blaze through the early-morning hours Sunday.
The first call came in at 10:50 p.m. Saturday, according to Northampton County 911. A supervisor said multiple calls soon came in from neighbors and passers-by.
Lower Saucon Fire Rescue said no injuries were reported and a cause has not been determined.
In a release, the department said numerous tanker trucks were called in because of limited water supply from hydrants in the areas, as well as access restrictions due to the replacement of the Meadow Road bridge.
The main building collapsed and an excavator was used later in the day Sunday to uncover and extinguish hotspots, according to the fire department.
Hellertown Mayor David Heintzelman in a post on social media said he was grateful for the firefighters who responded to the call.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who braved extremely cold conditions to prevent the fire from spreading,” he said. “Their courage, commitment, and professionalism reflect the very best of our community. I also offer prayers for the owners, trusting they know that our volunteers did everything humanly possible in the face of such a difficult situation.
"Although we may never fully know every detail of how or why this happened, we can be profoundly proud of the Saucon Valley Fire Rescue, the Hellertown Fire Department, and the many additional departments who responded and worked tirelessly to contain this inferno into the early morning hours.”
The facility has operated for years along Saucon Creek and is a popular spot for wedding receptions and parties.
More than 20 departments from Northampton, Lehigh and Bucks counties assisted at the scene, Lower Saucon Fire Rescue said.
The department added that standard procedure for a fire of this extent requires investigation from multiple agencies: the Lower Saucon Township fire marshal; Lower Saucon Fire Rescue's fire investigator; a state police fire marshal; and Lower Saucon Township police.
