May 29, 2019 at 4:42 p.m.
Cause of downtown Three Lakes fires still unknown
Fire marshal has yet to issue report
Cause of downtown Three Lakes fires still unknown
Now, approximately three months later, the fire department is still waiting for information as to the cause of the fires, according to Chief Dave Kirby.
On the evening of Feb. 13, the 3 Lakes Diner was destroyed by fire.
Firefighters from the Three Lakes, Eagle River and Sugar Camp Fire departments worked through the night to contain the blaze to the one building.
Then, on March 4, the Oneida Village Inn burned to the ground overnight and all firefighters could do was pour water on it in subzero conditions. The fire was so massive mutual aid came from Eagle River, Sugar Camp, Stella, Newbold, Pine Lake, Lake Tomahawk and Pelican fire departments. In addition to help from the Oneida County Sheriff's Office and Three Lakes Police, the Oneida County Emergency Management Department provided a command post and assisted with managing the resources on the scene.
In both cases, inspectors from the state fire marshal's office and the insurance company were on scene the day after each fire to start their investigations, Kirby said, noting that a lot of the same state investigators worked both fires.
"I have not heard from either of them yet," Kirby said Tuesday.
He is still waiting for reports from the fire marshal's team on the fires, he said. While the diner is presently boarded up, crews are expected to finish demolishing what remains of the Oneida Village Inn this week.
"It's in their court right now," Kirby said of the state inspectors.
According to Kirby, it is not uncommon for state officials to take some time before issuing their findings when investigating large fires. "I think it is common because you have so many parties involved in it (insurance company, owners)," Kirby said.
In the case of the Oneida Village Inn, the investigation was hampered because so much water was poured on it that investigators had to wait until the site thawed out before they could begin, Kirby noted.
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