BLAIR, Wis. – Fire destroyed the homey Blair Haus sports bar and restaurant on Broadway Street downtown. Four tenants in an upstairs apartment escaped unhurt. Firefighters saved an adjacent thrift shop and the Preston Township office, although there was heavy smoke and water damage. A nearby garage was damaged. The fire broke out about 9 a.m. Firefighters responded from Arcadia, Black River Falls, Blair, Ettrick, Galesville, Hale, Hixton, Independence, Osseo, Strum, Taylor and Whitehall. Police Chief Kent Johnson said there was no doubt that Blair Haus was a total loss.
Garlands survive. Holiday street decorations ad alresd been hoisted. Image: Andrew Dannehy