BRIDGEVILLE — No cause has yet been determined for the fire that destroyed the landmark Old Homestead Restaurant last week and, according to Sullivan County Fire Coordinator and Public Safety Commissioner Dick Martinkovic, a cause “may never be found here.”

“The area of origin where investigators believe the fire began is destroyed,” added Martinkovic. “Investigators think the blaze originated on the second or third floors and with those floors and the roof gone... there's just no way to ever tell. It's nothing suspicious.”

No one was injured in the blaze.

Regarding debris cleanup at the site of the late-evening blaze, Town of Thompson Code Enforcement Officer Logan Morey, said, “I think it's a bit too early for that... that generally won't happen until after the investigation.”

As far as rebuilding the more than 200-year-old structure, Martinkovic said, “I hope so… but really I just wish the Edelman family the very best. It was one of the great Sullivan County restaurants and I hope they get back to it so we can all enjoy ourselves there again.”

In a statement posted on the Old Homestead website, the Edelmans seem to imply that they will, in fact, rebuild: "On January 21, 2015 The Old Homestead suffered and lost the battle of all battles: Fire. We have been with our community and the County of Sullivan since 1953, but at this point we are unable to say when we can reconstruct... all we can do now is say thank you to everyone!

“The firemen in our community gave so much of their time fighting the blaze, being recalled to the scene and helping us to at least get some paperwork and pictures [back].

“We will make an effort to keep you up to date as we go through this long process."

In other developments, a fundraising page has been set up to aid the Old Homestead's 50-plus-year bartender, Len Belaus, who in the spring and summer lived in quarters above the beloved eatery and lost all of his personal belongings in the fire.

For more information and to donate to the “Old Homestead Lenny” fire recovery fund, go to https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/bvg7/the-uncle-lenny-fire-recovery-fund.