Major fires affected several area communities in 2014.

An early-morning fire on July 27 destroyed the popular Italian and Greek Luna Rossa Cafe and Grill in Gilbert.The 11,000-square-foot wood frame structure had three bars, a dance floor and a 3,500-square-foot deck to the rear of the business.Firefighters from Monroe, Carbon and other counties were called to the scene to assist. In all, about 80 firefighters were on scene.The property had been listed for sale for over a year.A bit of Gilbert history was destroyed. Norman Burger of Gilbert did some research and discovered that John H. Deats Jr. (a carpenter born in March, 1884) built Green Gables for his brother, Herbert P. Deats. Many folks remember it from as far back as 1947 when it was known as Green Gables, owned by Bert (Bertha) Lesher.Silvio Bitello, owner of Luna Rossa and The Brick Lounge in Blakeslee, held a benefit at The Brick Lounge on Sept. 20, with proceeds going to the fire companies that helped fight the fire.Walnutport fireA four-alarm fire heavily damaged the roof of the former Diamond Fire Company headquarters in Walnutport on Nov. 2.The blaze, which broke out shortly after noon, drew response from at least a dozen fire companies from several counties. Nobody was injured in the fire at the three-story structure at the intersection of Main and Washington streets that housed the fire company's social hall. The building had been in use since 1911.The bell tower was removed from the damaged structure on Nov. 12. The portion of Washington Street next to the building was shut down for nearly five weeks after the fire.Fire restoration experts Rick Hoyt, branch manager, and Greg Miller, estimator and emergency service manager, of Mellon Certified Restoration, of Allentown said the entire building will need to be gutted and remodeled, but they do believe it is salvageable and that the roof can be rebuilt.