Navigator News

Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Josh Clark

Area residents were stunned to watch as firefighters struggled against the cold and wind to salvage the Villa Pizza building early on the morning of Jan. 8 as it went up in flames.

The fire likely started in the second floor apartments of the Villa building, damaging much of the structure. The extent of the damage is still uncertain. The east half of the building, where the fire seems to have started, is a total loss and will have to be demolished, but the west half may have only sustained smoke and water damage.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined, and might remain so. Since the structure is considered unstable, inspectors have yet to be able to examine the building. This task will be nearly impossible once the east half is demolished.

The Villa, which was entering into its thirty-fifth year of business, is owned by Jon Arena. Arena is determined to rebuild or relocate the business he and his family have devoted much their lives to.

Debra Arena, Jon's wife, explained that if the west half of the Villa Pizza is not damaged too extensively, rebuilding efforts might be taken to build the business back in its current location.

However, if this is not the case, the Arenas are looking at the location of the old Central School at 21st Street and Western Avenue in Mattoon as a possible site of relocation.

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