BELLEFONTE -- A Victorian hotel and historic landmark on Bellefonte's main street was destroyed yesterday after flames engulfed the building in the early morning hours, closing surrounding streets and causing area power outages.

There were no overnight guests staying in the four-story Bush House Hotel when the fire broke out yesterday morning -- and because the building was empty and without a fire alarm or sprinkler system, it may have been smoldering for up to an hour before anyone was alerted, Bellefonte Fire Chief Tim Knisely said.

The scene was a nostalgic nightmare: Residents clustered on surrounding streets with cameras, gasping as they caught first glimpses of the blackened southeast corner of the structure -- all that was left of the building where Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh once stayed.

"It really hasn't sunk in yet," Bellefonte Mayor Stanley Goldman said, citing both the historical significance and the building's role in promoting the economic redevelopment of the town. "It's a landmark -- we can't replace it," he said.

More than 20 fire companies and 150 firefighters responded to the fire, including State College's Alpha Fire Company, which received a call at about 7 a.m., just after the blaze was reported.

Firefighters tried to enter the building on arrival but were forced to leave 15 minutes later because of dangerous conditions inside, Knisely said.

He said it was too early to determine what caused the fire, but he suspected faulty electrical wiring near the bottom floors of the structure. Until the remaining parts of the structure are knocked down, fire officials won't be able to enter the rubble to investigate.

But Bellefonte Police Chief Shawn Weaver said the fire's cause could remain a mystery.

"We might not ever know what caused it because of the extent of the damage," he said at a press conference yesterday afternoon.

Firefighters pumped water from Spring Creek, a waterway that cuts directly through the heart of Bellefonte, and aimed up to six hoses at the blaze to control the fire. Knisely said they expected to work through the night to keep it under control. Motorists should avoid driving through town, he added.

According to the Bush House Hotel Web site, Thomas Edison designed the lighting and electrical system in 1884. In the decades since it was frequented by travelers such as Henry Ford, the hotel has undergone major renovations. The building was also part of Bellefonte's waterfront restoration project, designed to enhance area economy, Sue Hannegan, a borough historic preservation officer, said.

The Bush House Hotel housed Schnitzels Tavern and Daniel's Lounge, popular local hangouts, Bellefonte resident Sandy Kowalski said. Though once a popular stopover, the hotel has lately seen its busiest days during Penn State' s football season.

Jackie Melander, president of the Centre County Historical Society, said the hotel was originally built to attract visitors from Philadelphia to the mountains of central Pennsylvania. A stylish building for its time, the rooms were decked out with expensive furniture to entice the city crowd.

But Knisely said the building's antiquated design most likely led to its demise. The construction of the building was outdated, and when the fire reached the open expanse of the attic, it spread across the building.

"The fourth floor is now sitting on the first floor," Knisely said.