EGG HARBOR, WI (WTAQ) – Investigators continue to look into the fire damage at a popular Door County restaurant.
Egg Harbor Fire Chief Steven Schopf says the Sunday morning blaze at Shipwrecked Brew Pub began in one of the motel units above the eatery.
“The third and second floors of the inn part are pretty much destroyed. They’re standing in tact, but they’re pretty much gutted inside. The first floor, where the restaurant and brewery are, is all in tact, with heavy smoke and water damage.”
Schopf notes the structure’s first floor contains just the restaurant and brew pub, while the second and third floors are a combination of motel units, apartment units, and business offices.
No official cause has been given for the blaze, but Schopf says they have their suspicions.
“We’re looking into an area around an air conditioning unit. That’s just where the heaviest fire load is.”
While no exact dollar amount has been given for the damage, Schopf says the second and third stories are likely a total loss.
As for the business, Schopf says its owners have a long road ahead.
“They won’t be able to open without doing extensive work on the building. The second and third floors aren’t safe at all. The floors between them are soft from fire damage.”
Schopf says the fire, which started around 11 am Sunday, only took about 30 minutes to put out, but notes crews stayed on scene until around 1:30 am Monday.
The chief notes nobody inside the building was injured but says 9-12 firefighters were taken to the hospital with heat-related conditions, such as dehydration.
Schopf says all of the firefighters were released after suffering no major injuries and are expected to make full recoveries.
