TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - It didn't take long for the spectacular flames to swallow up Twin Oaks Lanes on Sylvania Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
The call came in just before 5 p.m.
The smoke was so thick it practically blacked out the sun.
Toledo firefighters initially fought the blaze from inside the bowling alley.
But they were forced out for safety reasons and attacked the fire from outside with two ladder trucks.
The roof eventually collapsed, destroying the bowling alley.
Thankfully no one was hurt.
"We don't fight these fires every day but we do know what we're up against. Yes, the materials used in a commercial bowling alley can cause some problems for us," said Pvt. Sterling Rahe of the Toledo Fire Department.
Dozens of neighbors on Sylvania Avenue watched as the bowling alley went up in flames.
Many of them have fond memories of bowling here.
"We won the league this year. Had a lot of fun. Met a lot of good people," said Bill Gustafson.
Dennis Porter also bowled at Twin Oaks..
"Bowled in a summer league. Lots of friends. Got people in there bowling that are ninety years old," said Dennis
Twin Oaks Lanes made headlines in April after owner Jeff Kuhnle was caught making racist comments on Facebook about Muslims.
It caused an uproar against him and threats to burn down the bowling alley.
He met with Muslims inside Twin Oaks and apologized.
"We're all one people you know. Let's just all come together," Mr. Kuhnle said at the time.
It's too early to determine a cause of the fire.
But one question will be asked: Was this the work of an arsonist carrying through with an earlier threat against Jeff Kuhnle?
"If that's part of the investigation they'll look at that I'm sure. But they'll be looking at all parts of it," said Pvt. Rahle.
