Fire heavily damages West Side landmark

The Fire Department used its tanker truck to supply water at the scene when a problem with a nearby hydrant kept them from utilizing it for a period of time.

The aftermath of the fire shows the burned holes in the roof and the blackened interior.

Firefighter Paul Kruger removes his face mask after coming out of the building Friday.

A fireman checks out the second story interior of the building, as the familiar Hamm’s Beer sign continues to hang outside the window (below).

Flames shoot through the roof of the West Side Tavern Friday afternoon as Wabasha firefighters begin to arrive at the scene.

This was the scene Friday afternoon as Wabasha firefighters arrived at the scene of the fire that heavily damaged the West Side Tavern. Smoke can already be seen coming from the roof of the old two-story structure at right as firemen set up hoses to combat the blaze. At right in the photo, a police vehicle blocks traffic on Gambia in this view looking northeast.

Flames were already tearing through the roof of the West Side Tavern Friday afternoon before firemen could get water onto the roof.

Firemen prepare to enter the building as flames continue to come through the roof of the two-story West Side Tavern Friday afternoon. The fire heavily damaged the old building, a longtime landmark on the West Side. What will become of the building or the business is still unknown

Fire heavily damages West Side landmark

Tue, 04/07/2015 - 15:40 wheditor

by Michael Smith
A fire that was likely caused by an overheated wood stove, or the wind fanning the stove fire, heavily damaged the historic West Side Tavern Friday afternoon.

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