Fire That Destroyed Levittown Lanes Ruled Accidental: Fire Marshal

LEVITTOWN, PA — The fire that destroyed a popular bowling alley in the Levittown area last week has been ruled accidental by the Falls Township Fire Marshall Richard Dippolito.

While ruled accidental, the main cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

"Everything appears to be in the area of accidental cause," Dippolito told the Bucks County Courier Times.

The long-standing bowling alley was destroyed in a three-alarm fire that took place early in the morning on Wednesday, March 30. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, but the fire ended up destroying the building.

When the investigation began, Dippolito said that federal investigators were called to the scene, as they have resources that the fire department and other local agencies do not have.

The 18-lane bowling alley was first opened in the 1950s when Levittown was still a young town, remaining its oldest bowling alley up to the fire. The host of many parties and get-togethers for generations, Levittown Lanes was a long-time haunt of many in the immediate area and across Bucks County.

One group of people who have frequently the popular bowling spot was the Pennsbury Falcons bowling team, who used the local lanes as a practice spot for years.

"Right now, things are up in the air for next season as far as where we will bowl," Coach Arnie Lautt told Patch via email. "Fortunately for us, our season is over and it will not impact us this year."

Lautt, who started coaching the team in the past year, says the Falcons used Levittown Lanes for years; it was a place that the team called home.

"Thankfully, no one was hurt, and our thoughts go out to Gail and Danny who took care of our team for many years, as well as all the other employees that are impacted [by] this tragedy."

Owner Allen Episcopo has not determined any future plans for the bowling alley as of yet.