August 25, 2017 at 3:37 p.m.
Massive fire destroys spa
Departments from four counties answered mutual aid call
Massive fire destroys spa
Fire departments from three neighboring counties were called to help extinguish the blaze at the Riverwood Spa and Retreat Center, 3033 Woodwind Way.
According to its Facebook page, the business offered lodging, spa and catering services, corporate retreats and other services.
The fire was first reported just before 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
Crescent Fire Chief Kevin Mahner said his crew and firefighters from the Rhinelander Fire Department responded to the initial call. It didn't take long for them to determine they would need more help to battle the blaze, he added.
"We had mutual aid coming immediately and we went to, I believe, box alarm 2. And as soon as we got on scene, we went to a fourth box alarm," Mahner said.
Very early in the battle against the fire, Mahner said he had to have the president of Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) come to the scene to run the calls to other departments.
"That (MABAS) is how we send out the alarms to the other counties through dispatch," he said. "They send what we ask for."
Shortly thereafter, he called for the Oneida County Emergency Management Command Post because the sheer number of personnel and equipment was too much for one or two fire chiefs to coordinate effectively.
"Once we got that many people on scene, we needed to set up a unified command so we could all work together," Mahner said, adding that it was comforting knowing that when he called for additional help, the area departments responded.
"Everybody did have everyone's back here today," Mahner said. "And it is an amazing feeling, that is just amazing. Even right now (2 p.m.) with just a few people and departments here, everybody is still watching out for everybody."
He said the fire was in one end of the building when the first units arrived and it quickly spread throughout the structure. By Thursday afternoon, most of the two-story structure, along with the roof, had collapsed, leaving just the walls in place. Mahner said the stucco walls and tin roof made the fire even more challenging to battle. For the most part, the firefighters remained outside and poured water into the structure from several different angles.
"I think we did an amazing job saving what we did save," Mahner said. "Normally, something like this, there wouldn't be even this much left."
He said he was unsure if anyone was in the structure when the fire started, but confirmed there were no injuries.
The owners of the spa were at the scene Thursday afternoon but declined to comment.
Three investigators from the state fire marshal's office and at least one state patrol investigator were combing through the smoldering ruins Thursday afternoon. One of the fire marshals said with a fire this large multiple investigators will seek to determine a cause. He added that he had no idea how long it would take for the cause to be determined.
In addition to fire departments from Oneida County, crews from Lincoln, Vilas and Langlade counties sent at least tankers, which staged along South River Road waiting to dump their loads of water before heading back to the intersection of State Highway 8 and South River Road to refill from a fire hydrant.
The Oneida County sheriff's department, Oneida County EMS were at the scene, along with personnel and equipment from the RFD, Crescent, Newbold, Nokomis, Pelican, Russell, Stella, Arbor Vitae, Woodruff, Lake Tomahawk, Pine Lake, Little Rice, Tomahawk, Cassian, Sugar Camp, Boulder Junction, St. Germain and Presque Isle.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.