Firefighters in Rice Lake are blaming a downed power line and a broken gas line for a fire that destroyed several downtown businesses yesterday.
Below are the details from the Rice Lake Fire Department:
At approximately 1540 on October 17th, the Rice Lake Fire Department was dispatched to a reported building on fire at 17 East Messenger Street in the City of Rice Lake. The building housed Kitchen and Floor Décor warehouse, Finewood Inc., Cheese Louise, and Agonic Brewing.
The first fire department unit arrived at approximately 1542 to find a multi-story building with the south and east decks completely engulfed in flames and smoke and flames coming from the second story on the south side. Firefighters initiated an aggressive exterior attack with a 1 ¾” handline and a 2 ½” Blitzfire attack line. As the wind driven fire grew, addition exterior attack was performed with multiple hand lines, Blitzfire attack lines, apparatus mounted master streams and two aerial ladders.
Firefighting efforts were hampered by downed power lines, a broken natural gas line, and strong wind gusts.
Water was supplied by hydrants, water shuttle and directly from Rice Lake.
Fire was spread to grass and a vinyl fence on the north side of the property, and also flower beds at 11 East Newton Street, one block to the north of the incident.
The fire was placed under control at approximately 1856.
The building and contents are a total loss.
All fire units were placed back in service at 2205.
The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time.
No damage estimates are available at this time.
One firefighter suffered an arm injury. There were no civilian injuries.
25 firefighters from the Rice Lake Fire Department were utilized during the incident.
Three Engines, one Aerial Ladder, one Tender, one Command unit, one utility vehicle, and one medical unit responded to the scene.
In addition to the response by the Rice Lake Fire Department, Marshfield Medical Center provided a paramedic unit for standby, Barron Fire department provided one Engine and one Aerial Ladder, Bear Lake-Haugen Fire Department provided a pumping unit and a Support vehicle, Cameron Fire Department provided one Engine and two Tenders. Rice Lake Utilities, WE Energies, and Andy Hagen Excavating provided support, as well as the Rice Lake Police Department and Barron County Sheriff’s Department.
