MECCA TWP., Ohio - Three months after Mecca Township's historic Lake Tavern was destroyed by fire, the State Fire Marshal has closed the investigation and the cause will be left "undetermined" unless more information becomes available.

In a report from the state, investigators say the fire started on the outside of the building, and along the west side of the structure, but it's not clear what started the flames.

The report states, "cigarette butts were noted on the ground. Smoking materials cannot be eliminated as the cause of this incident. There is electric wiring to the
patio ceiling area. The electric wiring cannot be eliminated as the cause of this fire. An intentional human act cannot be eliminated."

The investigation included several interviews, including the owner of the tavern, current and former employees, as well as previous contractors.

According to the businesses website, the tavern had been renovated and remodeled last year.

The owner told investigators there had been no problems with employees and no threats had been made.

The report noted that the night before the fire, the burglary alarm system had not been set. The owner told investigators that it was not an unusual circumstance for the closing employee to forget to set the alarm.

The mid-February fire broke out shortly before 8 a.m. while the business was closed.

In addition to firefighters from Mecca, crews from Bazetta, Cortland, Bristol, Greene, Johnston, and the Youngstown Air Base were on the scene.

Firefighting efforts were hampered when it was discovered that hydrants around Mosquito Lake were frozen. Crews had to haul water from Cortland, which is five miles from the fire scene.

Overall, firefighters poured about 1,000 gallons of water on the flames to extinguish the blaze, but still were called back to the ruins of the building twice when flames were reported coming from the remnants.

Expressions of support and sadness were posted on the tavern's Facebook page with some people offering prayers.

The business was completely destroyed.