(Photo by Incident Response)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A popular neighborhood tavern known for its outdoor patio, food menu and upstairs apartments was heavily damaged in a fast-moving overnight fire Sunday Morning at The Kenosha Beer Gardens, 3501 14th Ave.
Multiple callers reported shortly after midnight that the back of the building was engulfed in flames. Kenosha police officers arriving at the scene reported that the building was “actively up in flames” and immediately began evacuating nearby residents and closing off intersections around 35th Street and 14th Avenue. Police also reported that people living in upstairs apartments were able to escape the burning building.
(Photo by Incident Response)
Firefighters arriving on scene reported the outside pavilion area was “heavily involved” and that the fire was extending deeper into the structure. The first arriving engine company was ordered to attack the flames with a deck gun while crews prepared for search operations because of possible entrapment. Truck crews also prepared for roof ventilation as additional companies poured into the area.
The fire eventually became defensive in nature in the bar portion of the building, meaning firefighters had to back out and fight the blaze from outside because of the intensity of the flames and danger of collapse. Mutual aid departments from Pleasant Prairie and Bristol responded to assist, and WE Energies was called to the scene. Fire investigators were also requested.
(Photo by Incident Response)
Police radio traffic indicated officers were working to locate tenants, property managers and the tavern owner while the fire burned. One caller told dispatchers “the whole back of the building is on fire,” while another officer radioed that the structure was “actively up in flames” as residents poured into the street.
The building has long been a fixture on Kenosha’s north side tavern scene. Historic records show the property has operated as a bar in some form since the 1930s, previously housing Wisconsin Beer Garden, B & S Beer Gardens, Sir Arthur’s Beer Garden and, most recently, The Beer Gardens. The property also includes apartment units behind or above the tavern.
The tavern had recently obtained city approval for cabaret and outdoor extension licenses and was known for its large patio, bar food and neighborhood atmosphere.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
33 Responses
Arson for insurance
Absolutely
Stupid, unfounded response. Anyone that is anonymous is some chicken shit that hides behind a keyboard spewing hate and misinformation.
You are a bigot.
Calling people stupid is hateful you leprechaun
Spewing hate? Thats a streeetch.
Democrats
Nobody knows anything and you have to go there right away??? No facts! No nothing!
It does fit a pattern. If you have to bet fraud or no fraud, I will go with fraud and be a winner most of thew time. That’s what I know.
You dont know shit!
I do.
Of course it was for insurance. It always is.
WRONG
Not wrong.
the food there was awesome and nice clean place ….you say insurance fraud bullshit that place was alllways packed
Packed? Just because a place does business doesn’t mean it isn’t being run into the ground or a myriad of other financial problems not having to do with the tavern. Expand your mind…
Expand your mind. You have no idea yet you feel the right to assume. Another well educated person I am sure!
I feel the right to think and say what I please. That has nothing to do with an education. You’re “assuming” I do not, which is exactly what you are criticizing me for. You’re contradicting yourself. Try getting a coherent thought together before posting. It makes you look less silly, I am sure.
Wisconsin bars never go out of business, but they do burn down!
Why in a City with multiple fire houses and many pieces of equipment is mutual aid called in ?
Country boy just askin.
Because they’re to busy going on vacations and playing tennis at the fire chiefs house who is struggling so bad he has to be on medicade.
It’s fucking pickleball. Get it right.
Because you cant drain all your departments as you need them to run other calls
They pull the backup units from other departments when it is a big fire as to not take away coverage for other potential fires. It maintains coverage over the city, townships and villages.
Seems like Ken. Co. is having more fires than normal.
Just an observation.
Sir Arthur’s was a dump way back on 23 or 24 Ave and still is. Now it’s burnt dump
You are an ass! You are a close minded idiot…just saying
Back-up unit’s? Call Pirsch across the street and send some of thier older engines to help.
Dumbest comment of the day!