The Corner Bistro & Pizza Co. of Smethport does have insurance, Trooper Russell Stewart clarified on Thursday, saying he had made a mistake in the press release he issued Wednesday that said otherwise.
Ridgway-based state Trooper Krug, speaking on behalf of Stewart, who was not in the barracks at the time of The Era’s call on Thursday, said the press release should have read “the victims do have insurance.”
Krug said Stewart was traveling to the scene Thursday afternoon and would address his mistake with business owner Riki Tanaka.
The fire started in the kitchen of the restaurant Tuesday evening, and caused damage estimated at $550,000. Tenants of the upstairs apartments were displaced as well. The fire’s origin was undetermined, Stewart said.
Tanaka had no comment for the Era on Thursday.
Mick Marshall, president of the Marshall Insurance Services Inc., also confirmed there is insurance on both the building and the business.
Marshall said he does not typically disclose insurance information about his clients and only did so in this case because he received permission from business owner Riki Tanaka.
Community members have started a GoFundMe for the employees and tenants of the building. It can be reached at
