Massive fire in downtown Rice Lake deems multiple businesses a total loss
RICE LAKE, Wis. — A massive fire in Rice Lake on Thursday afternoon destroyed a building that housed multiple businesses, including a brewery, in the downtown area.
The Rice Lake Fire Department says they were called to 17 East Messenger Street around 3:40 p.m. They arrived to find the multi-story building engulfed in flames. Firefighters' efforts were hampered by strong winds and downed power lines, as well as a broken natural gas line, officials say.
The four businesses inside the building — Kitchen and Floor Decor, Finewood Inc., Cheese Louise and Agonic Brewing — suffered a total loss.
Officials say the fire spread to a fence on the north side of the property as well as to some flower beds one block north of the building. The fire was under control before 7 p.m.
"They're not done. This chapter is closed. They're not going to reopen tomorrow. But something is going to come from it. People from the area are not going to let them go. They're going to come back, and hopefully bigger and better than ever," said Captain Dave Putnam of the Rice Lake Fire Department.
He added that it was encouraging to see how the community came together to support each other.
Danni Moon, who co-owns Agonic Brewery mourned the loss of the over 100-year-old building.
"We just ran across the street, and watched as this entire side of the building was engulfed in flames," Moon said. "The fire truck showed up, and it just kept going."
No civilians were injured, though one firefighter suffered an arm injury.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
