Fire department says area bar fire likely began in ceiling

Friday, February 17, 2017
Jessica Bringe | WEAU

ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU) -- A local fire department is working to determine the cause of a fire at an area bar and grill.

Altoona Fire Department responded to a fire at Encore Bar and Grill just before 6p.m.

The department said there were no visible burn marks down below in the bar area but the roof of the building has caved in.

Chief Jesse James told WEAU that likely indicates the fire originated in the ceiling but says the exact cause is still being determined.

James explained, "There appeared to be multiple layers of ceiling in place due to the amount of remodeling that's taken place with this building and some of those hots spots were buried inside them levels and we had to get access to them otherwise we'd have been here overnight."

Encore owner David Zempel says having been open less than a year the fire is a major blow to the business.

However he says his first priority remains his 30 employees.

Zempel said, "I have a GM, several fulltime people, including full kitchen staff, tending, serving the whole nine yards. The staff is what made this place and people came in to see them. They're good people and I don't want to lose them."

While the fire's cause is still being determined neighboring business Bug Eyed Betty's is already rallying community support through a GoFundMe page.

Owner Jordan Hedrington says knowing the impact a fire would have on his own staff -he the page for $50,000.

"We're all fighting the same battle," explained Hedrington. "We put blood sweat and tears in our livelihoods and to see it kind of going in flames like that I think it's us doing our part."

Zempel says he has no plans to raise funds to rebuild his business but would prefer the focus remains on helping his staff.

"I would rather have people contribute to our employees," said Zempel. "They're the number one priority for me."

Zempel said he's been speaking to his insurance company and hopes to get back to rebuilding his business as soon as possible to be able to offer jobs back to his employees. 

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