A Portland sports bar owner is devastated after a fire damaged his business and several nearby establishments early Tuesday morning. Peter Mahr, owner of Gol PDX, described the scene as “dark” with extensive smoke and water damage, particularly in the kitchen, which was completely destroyed.
Mahr expressed his emotional struggle, stating, “It’s heart-wrenching… to see that gone in one night is really difficult to take.” The fire originated in the kitchen ceiling while the bar was closed, and although ruled accidental, the exact cause is still being investigated. With the bar closed, Mahr’s employees are temporarily out of work, and he noted the emotional toll this has had on the community.
Support from the community has been pouring in, with people offering their condolences and well-wishes. Mahr remains hopeful and emphasizes the strength of community bonds, stating, “The fruits of having built that community… is when something goes wrong, they have our backs.”
Though he is uncertain when the bar will reopen, a fundraiser has been initiated to assist during this challenging time. For more information, you can visit the GoFundMe link.
