Hub Ballroom Fire

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By WEEK Reporter

Story Published: Jun 24, 2009 at 5:45 AM CST

Story Updated: Jun 24, 2009 at 11:44 AM CST

State fire investigators are now on the scene of a fire destroyed a ballroom rich with history in Edelstein Wednesday morning.

Authorities say the fire broke out about 2:45 a.m. at the Hub Ballroom.

They say the building is a complete loss.

Firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to other buildings.

Crews were also forced to bring water all the way from Dunlap.

There are no reports of injuries and still no word on a cause.

Authorities say they expect to be at the scene of the fire at the Hub ballroom in Edelstein throughout the day.

Thursday, Jun 25 at 11:48 AM mlk wrote ...

7:17 AM DUR! wrote ... "Fire Chief says "we did a good job saving the building not on fire." There Great!!!!!!!!" DUR there was nothing they could do but save the other buildings.As big and open in the inside as that building was the fire spread so fast that there is nothing that they could do. You shouldn't talk down about their department or their chief they are a great department with one of the best response times in the area.

Thursday, Jun 25 at 10:51 AM Vanilla Ice wrote ...

Man this sucks. I was gonna rock out to Ice Ice Baby! Now I can't.

Thursday, Jun 25 at 6:17 AM DUR! wrote ...

Fire Chief says "we did a good job saving the building not on fire." There Great!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 11:48 PM scott L wrote ...

It almost brought tears to my eyes when i seen it on th news..I have built so many friendships from th eplace..used to go every weekend in late 90s on sat nights for the country line dancing and the bands. I have many pics if anyone would like to see contact me at caddy932001@yahoo. They are of a full dance floor with hundreds of people line dancing..Any one remember the dark room with just the faint light fixtures and the stars that would glaze the ceiling at night? A sad day in JUne for sure!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 9:47 PM willie wrote ...

it was a loss

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 9:36 PM richard tucker wrote ...

holy crapt i have been in that place before i can't beleve that place caught on fire this morning. my buddy work there close to it. how did the fire start it sucks that it was a loss to everyone that went there before that happened. i had fun in there i got drunk in there before. bummer i cant get drunk in there before.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 9:30 PM Steve Sappington wrote ...

I was deeply saddened to read of the loss of such a unique, history-rich landmark that provided me several very fond memories.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 9:30 PM Lisa L. wrote ...

I will miss the Hub dearly since my sister lived in the apartment (which was very nice at the time) when she helped run the Hub under the Hanlon's ownership. I have many fond memories staying with her as a child. The Hub was my first job and it was a great place to learn about responsiblity. Working at the Hub was a unique experience and gave me the opportunity to see some music legends perform which influenced my appreciation of many genres of music. How sad to see such a great place perish.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 9:14 PM susan callahan wrote ...

I use to dances there a lot on the weekend. my x husband had a band they played threre.I had a pair of high heel shoes and i danced a hole in them.the hub will be missed.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 8:05 PM Cheryl Meierhofer wrote ...

My husband & I met dancing & the Hub was the greatest place to go. The floor was one of the best & many well known bands played their stage. Among our favorites was Johnny Kaye & Al Pierson. How sad to see it burn.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 4:13 PM Debbie Nimrick wrote ...

I am proud to say that I grew up in Edelstein I may not live there anymore but the hub will always be a part of my life.. the dances, big bands, weddings and eveyhthing it stood for will be missed.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 1:57 PM Patricia wrote ...

My daughter & I learned to line dance there, back in the 80's! It was a wonderful place to dance & see live bands. Enjoyed going to the Country Showdown when it was hosted there a few years ago. What a great loss......

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 1:20 PM Doug wrote ...

When I first started playing music with Stan and the Bandits back in 1982, my biggest thrill was stepping onto that stage knowing all the huge names that had performed there before me. The Hub Ballroom will be dearly missed!!!!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 12:50 PM Kylie wrote ...

I never heard of the place until last night when my boyfriend got the call to go put it out. He's a Chillicothe Volunteer Firefighter. I sat and watched it burn which was depressing to watch knowing that it would sadden numerous people. My father used to go there a lot as a kid.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 12:49 PM Tater Harwood wrote ...

I spent a lot of wonderful nights at the Hub. My brothers and I played music there for years.. had lots of freinds and had a lot of great times... Sad to see great places like this go....

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 12:41 PM JS wrote ...

This is such a loss... Our family had a lot of good times at the Hub. The town looks empty without it.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 12:00 PM Barb Millard wrote ...

I took square dance lessons there & met my future husband at a birthday party held there for his grandmother & was even luck enough to be able to dance in the ball room with my then future father-in-law some 25 yrs ago.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 11:39 AM Dee S.S. wrote ...

We had alot of good times at the Hub... Friendships that will never be lost or forgotten ! So sad to see it gone now.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 11:25 AM TLP wrote ...

It's so sad that 2009 has brought the destruction of two area entertainment hubs: Waunee Farms in Kewanee was torn down and now the Hub has burnt down. Lots of wonderful memories went with each place. So sad!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 10:44 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Living near the Hub gave me chills when I woke up to the fire. It was nice when growing up near the Hub to open your windows at night to listen to the music played there. It was so sad standing at the end of the street this morning watching it going up in flames. When explaining to people where Edelstein was, all I had to say was The Hub Ballroom and everyone knew right where the town was. What a loss.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 10:17 AM Garrett S wrote ...

I was actually part of movie crew that was there. It was a great building and great owners.. its gonna be sad that its gone.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 10:01 AM Hub Goer wrote ...

If you read the article on pjstar.com the state fire marshall has been called to investigate the cause of the fire. I really don't think this was intentional, the HUB was a historical landmark. There were renovations being done on the building.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 9:47 AM MGSLactress wrote ...

I am sad to hear the news but SO glad that no one was hurt!! I suppose it's time to now check the HUB's insurance policy and (hmmmmm) try to investigate what caused the fire!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 9:18 AM Debbie S. wrote ...

It's sad to see a landmark go. We had our wedding reception there 18 yrs ago and I went to my Senior Prom there in 1980. I'm sure there were alot of good times and memories had there by people of all ages.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 8:31 AM hjr wrote ...

No matter what happened it is still a great loss. I will always have the memories of meeting my husband there 15 years ago!!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 7:57 AM hkyfan_2 wrote ...

Wasn't her fault she got evicted...she was subleting, and the other person didn't pay rent. If you saw the apt, you'd be glad your kid was out no matter how they got out...eviction or otherwise. It was a pit.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 7:43 AM Aaron wrote ...

Wait, you're glad your step daughter got evicted? LOL...I understand the point about her being there during the fire, but nonetheless. Actually, had she been there, the fire may have been prevented or even been caught sooner. You never know...

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 7:21 AM Michael Taylor wrote ...

This is truely a sad day in Musical History!! I just filmed a movie there in April to. I used to DJ weddings there in the late 80's!!!! Very sad. Truely a Historical loss.... :(

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 7:17 AM hkyfan_2 wrote ...

They were gutting the place Sat when we went to retrieve my step daughters furniture.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 7:13 AM hkyfan_2 wrote ...

Glad my step daughter was evicted 2 weeks ago from the apt below or she might not be here!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 7:12 AM Hub Goer wrote ...

The Hub has been open for a few months and Vanilla Ice was suppose to be there this Friday.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 7:00 AM how do you know. wrote ...

they just re opened the place a like 3 months ago. so yes it was being used but not at the time of the fire so know your facts!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 6:46 AM DrD wrote ...

Interesting time for a fire to start in a building that is not frequently used.

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 6:46 AM CLM wrote ...

That is very sad.....I have a few good memories from going there in my teenage years .

Wednesday, Jun 24 at 6:41 AM Marie L. wrote ...

So sad to see it's gone.

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