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6/4/2009 3:32 AM

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By Michael Jones, Staff writer, mjones@observer-reporter.com

This article has been read 2615 times.

BENTLEYVILLE - An abandoned building once used as a haunted house attraction in Bentleyville was destroyed by fire late Tuesday.

Firefighters responded to the blaze at the former Castle Blood haunted house on Main Street shortly before 11 p.m., but found heavy smoke coming from the structure and fires raging on all four floors, said Ron Sicchitano Jr., assistant fire chief for Bentleyville.

It took seven fire departments about three hours to control the fire, and many remained at the scene until late Wednesday morning. Bentleyville firefighters continued to keep a close watch on the building throughout the day because some areas rekindled, Sicchitano said.

Buildings on both sides of the former haunted house were not damaged.

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Bentleyville Council President Lena Greenfield said there had been some complaints of people entering the structure in past years. She added that the building had recently been sold and the new owner, whose name was not available, indicated he wanted to have it demolished.

The building had been unoccupied for about a decade, Sicchitano said.

He said the cause of the fire was not immediately known and a state police fire marshal is investigating. Fire departments from Cokeburg, Richeyville, California, Charleroi, Fallowfield and Valley Inn assisted Bentleyville.

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5 comments

: 6/4/2009
Thank goodness this was an eyesore. I am glad no one was injured.

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No Castle! : 6/4/2009
Ask anyone who lived in Bentleyville or the surrounding area while this thing was up and running, it was anything BUT a castle. Hope someone tears is down and uses the space for something good! Hat's off to the VFD's!

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Castle Blood : 6/4/2009
What a sad, sad day! I loved going to the castle over Halloween, it was a thrill to see the ingenuity of the place all decked out in scary fashion. It will be a place missed by all.

BJ

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The religious wackos get their wish! : 6/4/2009
All the right-wing Jesus wackos hated this place because they equated it with Satan. They chased the guy out of town and now they burn the place down. Get a grip already! A sad, sad day for fans of horror and fun!

Easy J

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: 6/4/2009
Glad no one hurt, but why wasn't Ellsworth called to assist they are the closest fire company. Both departments need to put their differences aside and start to help each other when it comes to tragic events. There priority should be saving lives and buildings as quick as possible and not utilizing your neighboring department is doing that.

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