Wisconsin building with multiple businesses a total loss after firefighters battle heavy winds, spreading flames

RICE LAKE, Wis. (WFRV) – A building in northwestern Wisconsin that housed multiple businesses, including a brewery, is considered a total loss after a fire boosted by heavy winds rapidly spread on Thursday afternoon.

According to the Rice Lake Fire Department , crews were sent to the building, located on East Messenger Street in Rice Lake, around 3:40 p.m. on October 17 after reports of a fire. Authorities say the building housed the Kitchen and Floor Decor warehouse, Finewood Inc., Cheese Louise, and Agonic Brewing.

The first crews to arrive found the south and east decks completely engulfed in flames, with smoke and fire showing from the second story of the multi-story building’s south side.

During the efforts to put out the fire, firefighters say they were affected by downed power lines, a broken natural gas line, and strong wind gusts. The wind helped the fire to spread rapidly, including spreading to grass and a vinyl fence on the property’s north side, and flower beds on East Newton Street, one block north of the East Messenger Street building.

After roughly three and a half hours, the fire was deemed to be under control. However, the building and its contents were considered a total loss.

I would like to thank all the support from our neighboring fire departments, EMS crews, law enforcement, and our community [on October 17]. We suffered a great loss to small businesses this afternoon. Please support them and keep them in your thoughts.

Chief Mike Hover, Rice Lake Fire Department

There were no civilian injuries reported but one firefighter did suffer an injury to their arm during the incident.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation and authorities did not have a damage estimate at the time of the release.

Additional agencies who assisted the Rice Lake Fire Department included:

• Barron Fire Department
• Bear Lake-Haugen Fire Department
• Cameron Fire DepartmentRice Lake Utilities
• Marshfield Medical Center
• WE Energies

No additional information was provided.

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