Dual Tragedy Strikes At Roslyn Landmark

ROSLYN -- The owner of a pizza parlor made famous on the television show "Northern Exposure" collapsed and died as fire destroyed the business.

Village Pizza was on Main Street in Roslyn, where the show was filmed.

The owner, Harry Balmer, collapsed while running about a half block from the business, Fire Chief Gerald Tritt said. He apparently suffered a heart attack and died. Hew about 60 years old and lived in the town.

The fire broke out about 6:15 p.m. yesterday in the two-story, wood-frame building, which was about 100 years old. The roof and upper floor collapsed, and the building was a total loss.

The volunteer fire department kept flames from spreading to other businesses, even though the next-door building was only about a foot away.

Roslyn, 80 miles east of Seattle, portrayed the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska, in the show. It starred a New York doctor stuck in Alaska, who repays the government for financing his education by working in Cicely.