There's no answer yet to what caused the fire that heavily damaged The Red Barn Tavern in Summit March 26.
Owners John Bulka and Carmen Campo, however, are planning to rebuild the popular restaurant.
Those at the scene immediately afterwards believed the blaze started in the kitchen. That area was the most heavily damaged, and wind carried the fire into the barn and restaurant area.
State fire investigators will release their report on the cause in about two weeks, according to Matt Brisley, Schoharie County Fire Coordinator.
He confirmed that the fire started in the kitchen, but the cause remains uncertain.
"We were able to eliminate electric and gas as a cause," Mr. Brisley said. "It appeared to have started near a wastebasket in the kitchen."
The fire started about 9pm on the 26th; the restaurant was closed that day.
"It doesn't seem to be suspicious," Mr. Brisley said.
The owners are waiting for insurance companies to finish so they can see what's salvageable, Mr. Bulka said.
Although it appeared at first that part of the L-shaped, two-story building could be saved, that's not the case, Mr. Bulka said.
"There's nothing to save," he said of the building. "We want to get out what we can, clean it off and start making plans to rebuild."
Known for its ribs and barbecue, The Red Barn will rise in another form this summer--as the restaurant at the Cobleskill Golf and Country Club.
Earlier this year, Mr. Bulka and Mr. Campo agreed to run the golf course's restaurant, and it will be called The Red Barn Clubhouse.