CAPTION
Flames leaping from upstairs. Police first to arrive, evacuated tenants. Images: Tomah Fire Department
Superior Avenue through downtown closed all day
TOMAH, Wis. – Police helped evacuate 10 tenants from walk-up apartments above the Peking Chinese restaurant downtown just as the fire was leaping up into the second floor. There were no injuries. The restaurant was closed. Police were first to arrive, about 7:50 a.m. The fire took 11 hours to control because of complexities in the old, oft-remodeled structure, said Fire Chief Tim Adler. Even so, firefighters kept the blaze from spreading to adjacent buildings. The fire was in the 1000 retail block Superior Avenue, which is densely packed with vintage side-by-side buildings. There was major smoke damage, Adler said. Superior Avenue, the main drag through Tomah, was closed to traffic. The cause of the fire was not determined immediately, Adler said.
Fire crews on site 11 hours. The Red Cross helped displaced tenants to a senior citizens center. Both Kwik Trip and Murrays on Main provided food and drink to firefighters.