South Glens Falls

A fire that destroyed a large part of Common Roots Brewery in South Glens Falls was likely an accident, said the attorney for the family that owns the brewery.

Matt Fuller said fire investigators told the owners that the fire appeared to start in the northeast corner of the building but the damage was too severe to say exactly what caused the blaze.

"All signs point to just a pure accident," he said.

The brewery is owned by Bert and Christian Weber, a father-and-son team who opened the business in 2014.

The brewery had just broken ground earlier Monday on an expansion that would add a taproom and retail space, a private bar, an outdoor deck, and a kitchen.

Fuller said the brewery was working quickly to get new architectural plans in front of the town so the owners could rebuild.

South Glens Falls Mayor Harry Gutheil said that the brewery was a popular destination for those in the village and beyond.

"We watched that business start and grow," Gutheil said. "Everyone goes there. It's near the walkway, people bicycle there. I hope they can rebuild quickly."

Gutheil also said he hasn't gotten a report from the village's building inspector who will determine if the building must be demolished.

Town of Moreau Supervisor Todd Kusnierz said that the brewery was an important business along a corridor that is essential to the economic growth of the town. He also said that the beer the Webers served was top-notch.

"It was a great atmosphere," Kusnierz said. "When residents saw it was ablaze, they were very upset. It's a big loss."

A number of local breweries were working on plans Tuesday to help the brewery and its employees through the rebuilding process.

Fuller said the brewery owners and employees were touched by the outpouring of support.

"It's not surprising if you know the Weber family," he said. "The mission now is to clean up and rebuild."

The fire broke out around 7:15 p.m. on Monday evening. There were employees and customers in the taproom at the time but all were able to escape without injury.

Fuller said that while it's early, the brewery is formulating plans to brew in another space and is working to keep employees on staff.

Employees were able to salvage some of the brewery's beer after the fire was out.