Shenango Township business a total loss after morning fire

May 24—SHENANGO TOWNSHIP — A Friday morning fire destroyed a pie shop in an historic structure that was on the grounds of a Shenango Township home.

The blaze in Country Pie Shop, at 341 Stony Hill Road, began around 10:05 a.m., Shenango Township Fire Chief Justin Barnes said.

"It looks like it's going to be gutted and a total loss," Barnes said.

Barnes said the blaze began in the shop's bakery area.

Owned and operated by Jodi Smith and her husband Frank, the couple said the business was in the building dating back to the same era as their 1840 home, which sat just a few feet away.

The small building was constructed to serve as a summer kitchen, something that was common back then to reduce heat in the house during the summer.

"It was like losing an old friend," she said.

Also on the property is an outhouse from that era, which has been converted into a tool shed.

The outhouse was untouched by the blaze but the back of the home sustained minor damage from radiant heat. The cause of the fire is undetermined, Ron Hoover, the fire department's assistant chief, said.

Barnes said there was fire coming from every window upon the fire department's arrival. Shenango Township firefighters, with assistance from neighboring fire companies, extinguished the fire within about an hour.

"The cause is undetermined and the state police fire marshal is investigating," Barnes said. "It does not appear to be suspicious at this time."

Barnes said no one was injured in the fire.

Jodi and Frank Smith were co-owners of the former Golden Apple Inn restaurant in Wheatland for 22 years. They closed it three years ago to focus on the pie shop in semi-retirement.

"We had just gutted it a year ago, and everything in it was new," Jodi said of the fire-ravaged building.

In addition to pies, the business produced other baked goods such as breads, cookies and cinnamon rolls.

"This was our livelihood," she said.

While the building was insured, it likely won't be enough to cover the costs of repairs and replace equipment.

"But we're coming back," Jodi vowed.

Also destroyed were around 50 guitars Frank had collected over the decades.

Before the fire, Jodi was set to fill 70 pie orders for Memorial Day weekend.

"There's a lot of people who will be disappointed," she said. "But my customers are pretty understanding."

Assisting fire departments included Pulaski and Jefferson townships along with Hermitage, New Wilmington and Mercer East End. A number of other fire departments were placed on standby, including Sharon, Farrell and Hubbard.

Follow Melissa Klaric on twitter @HeraldKlaric or email her at mklaric@sharonherald.com