University of Virginia Library

Two-Alarm Blaze Razes 'Cavalier'

No Injuries Reported
In Mid-Morning Fire;
Cause Undetermined

By Rick Brownfield

Photo by Murray

Bar, Grill Section Of Cavalier Cavern Was Destroyed In Fire Yesterday

Smoke, Water Rather Than Flames Caused Extensive Damage In Back Section

A two-alarm Fire of undetermined origin gutted the
Cavalier Cavern on Emmet Street yesterday morning.

The Charlottesville fire department answered the fire
report at 8:44. The 40 firemen on the scene brought the
fire under control by 9:30. The fire was extinguished by
11:03.

The Daily Progress reported that the blaze was caused
by a short circuit; however, fire superintendent Jack
Marshall declared yesterday afternoon the origin was unknown.
Police and fire inspectors spent most of the
afternoon examining the wreckage.

The fire was concentrated in
the front portion of the building.

Charred walls and a gaping
hole in the roof were all that
remained of the grill area. The
bar was blackened but not destroyed;
however the total front
section was burnt beyond repair.

Grill Ruined

A major portion of the equipment
in the bar and grill areas
was ruined.

The back section of the Cavalier
was gutted, according to Mr.
Marshall. Most of the tables and
chairs were untouched by flames,
but damaged by smoke and water.

The Cavalier normally opens
at 3 p.m.; the building was empty
at the time of the fire.

Contents Insured

The Cavalier has been operated
by Frank Kessler since 1959.
He said the contents of the building
were insured for $5,500. Also
included in the loss was about
$3000 in the cash register.

At present Mr. Kessler was
unable to say whether or not
the Cavalier would re-open.

Charlottesville police rerouted

traffic from Emmet Street during
the blaze.

Three fire trucks, two pumpers
and a hook and ladder truck
responded to the alarm.

The Cavalier Cavern, located
on Emmet Street near the railroad
overpass, is a well-known
tavern frequented by University
students and noted for live bands
and go-go girls.

The extensive damage has not
yet been estimated; Mr. Kessler
was unable to give an approximate
loss.

Owns Virginian

Mr. Kessler also owns the Virginian
and Lupo's restaurants.

He had made a routine check
of the Cavalier around 8 yesterday
morning, according to an employee,
and noticed nothing unusual.
He then left.

Bystanders reported the midmorning
fire after they saw smoke
coming from the building.

Since the building was empty,
there were no injuries, except for
a minor cut sustained by a fireman.