ELKHART — The Osolo Township Fire Department continues to investigate the cause of a fire that destroyed a bar near Simonton Lake this weekend.

The fire department was called to My Dad’s Place at 51425 S.R. 19, west of Simonton Lake, around 4:52 a.m. Saturday. Upon arrival, the fire department was encountered with a building fully involved in flames, said Chief Jerry Miller.

“As soon as we got there we entered defensive mode right away,” he said.

With the help of the Bristol, Cleveland and Port Township fire departments, the fire was under control by 6:33 a.m., said Randy Stone, a firefighter at the scene.

Owner Sandy Rogers said she got the phone call at 5:15 a.m. that the business had caught fire and rushed to the scene, which is not far from her home.

“I was concerned about my employees first and then I was devastated,” Rogers said.

Rogers became the sole owner of My Dad’s Place about two years ago, after her father died and left her the bar. The tavern, owned by the family since 2006, has been a Simonton Lake staple for years.

Rogers said her hope at this time is to rebuild on the same spot once the investigation is concluded.

“The insurance company said they hope to see us back in business in six months,” she said.

The fire department is still investigating the cause and origin of the fire. Miller said the investigation is under way and that he could have more answers by next week.

The Osolo Township Fire Department requested assistance from the Indiana Fire Marshal’s Office.

A public information officer for the office said help from the Fire Marshal’s Office is often requested when a fire involves a large or commercial building, and when the cause of the fire “is not blatantly obvious,” he said.

The public information officer confirmed an investigator has been sent to Elkhart County to help assist with the investigation.

Nick Wesman contributed to this story