By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

 When Dani Sisson got a call from someone telling him his club was on fire, he couldn’t believe it.

“I was like ‘oh my God, they finally did it,’” he said Monday afternoon as firefighters continued to pour water on the burned remains of The Galaxy Night Club on East Grand Avenue in Old Orchard Beach.

Sisson, who has run the club for 17 years, said he believes the fire was arson because an anonymous person spread rumors about his business. He said a recent  inspection showed there were no major issues at the club and he planned to install a fire sprinkler system Sept. 6. Sisson said his structure was in “tip-top shape” and had a new roof.

Sisson said he does not have insurance on the contents of the club, but believes building owner Conrad Castalano of Blue Jay Inc. has building insurance. His biggest concern is for the 25 employees who are now out of job, he said.

“I feel really bad for my workers. That’s what kills me the most,” he said. “They all want to cry now because they can’t feed their families.”

Sisson said he plans to reopen his “pride and joy” next summer.

“This thing is going to go up better than ever,” he said. “The Galaxy was the best club on the beach. The Galaxy was and still will be the best club in Maine.”

Bouncer Scott Day said he first heard about the fire on the radio and later went to the scene along with his co-workers. He said losing the club “is a loss for the Old Orchard Beach strip.”

“It’s sad. It’s been here for a long time,” he said. “It was more than a club, it was a family.”

June Lapointe, owner of Biarritz Motel, sought out Sisson Monday afternoon to offer her condolences on the loss of the club. She said she stopped by the club when she could get away from the motel and said Sisson was always welcoming.

“It’s always a pleasure to go see him,” she said. “He’ll be back and he’ll be better than ever.”

Jodi Newcomb of Old Orchard Beach stopped by the fire scene late Monday to talk to Sisson and his employees. She said she has seen “tremendous growth” in the club since she started going there years ago.

“It’s a landmark,” she said. “Everyone knows ‘the spot’ is The Galaxy. It’s the most happening spot in Old Orchard Beach. The legacy will live on.”

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.