Update 11/3/23 9:00 a.m.:
The Tomahawk Fire Department says a massive amount of water was needed to get the fire in downtown Tomahawk under control Thursday.
Over 250,000 gallons of water were utilized from the hydrant system and over 60,000 gallons of water from the tender operations.
Firefighters first responded to the fire around 6:00 a.m. Thursday morning.
The fire department says the fire started at Nacho's Mexican Grill and quickly spread to the above apartments and neighboring Century 21.
Multiple fire departments were called in to help put out the fire.
Water use was an issue. Soon in to fighting the fire, the department and Tomahawk Public Works determined that too much water was being pulled from the city's water supply.
A water tender operation was established. Firefighters used the boat landing at Sara Park to pull in more water.
In total over 15 different agencies responded to the scene including Nokomis, Pine River, Hazelhurst, Merrill, Crescent, Cassian, Little Rice, Minocqua, Rhinelander, Corning, Russell, Maine, Tomahawk EMS, Taylor County EMS-Rib Lake, Tomahawk Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, Lincoln County Emergency Management, Tomahawk Public Works and a strike team of tenders from MABAS Division 130. The Lincoln County Highway Dept, PCA Mill, and Schoone Construction provided fuel trucks to supply the numerous engines committed to operations. Mr. Ed's Excavating provided an excavator to remove debris and allow firefighters to fully extinguish the fire. Retired members from Tomahawk Fire also responded to assist on the scene as well.
Everyone in the apartments made it out of the building on their own before firefighters arrived. Some of them later went to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
In a Facebook post detailing the event, Chief Paul Winter thanked the Tomahawk community for the outpouring of support during this incident.
"Numerous businesses and citizens donated food and refreshments for the firefighters working on the scene. At times like this, we realize what a close-knit community we have, going above and beyond to support one another," the post said.
There is a donation drop-off set up for the people living in the apartments that lost everything, see the details below.
Original post: Two businesses were destroyed and some families lost everything in a fire in downtown Tomahawk early Thursday morning.
The fire burned Century 21 and the adjoining Nacho’s Mexican Grill.
WAOW Television reports, 2,000 gallons of water per minute was being used to try and douse the flames.
Fire Crews have been on scene most of the day.
The fire did reignite at one point.
Fire Departments on the scene include Tomahawk, Minocqua, Russell, Pine River, and more.
Nacho’s Mexican Grill of Tomahawk posted to Facebook saying they lost everything.
They plan to keep their employees working at the other restaurants they own in the region and ask for people’s support by filling those locations.
The Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce is also organizing a collection for the families who lived in the apartments above the restaurant.
There is a box outside the back door of the Chamber for gift cards or monetary donations for the families that will be out during business hours 8AM-4PM.
Fire Donation Locations in Tomahawk:
Chamber
WJJQ
Tomahawk BP
Tomahawk Shell
Tomahawk Child Care
Tomahawk Builders Supply
Tomahawk Main Street
St. Mary's School
Road Lake Pub & Grill
Merrill: Cordova Insurance
Minocqua: Northfork Fin & Fillet
Sizes Needed:
Men’s: XL, 38/30 Pants, 12 Shoes
3XL, 38/40 Pants, 11 Shoes
Women’s: L, 9 Pants, 8 Shoes
L, 11 Pants, 7 Shoes
Kids: Girls 8, 1 Shoes
Girls 14, 5 Shoes
Other donations such as food, toiletries, blankets, etc.
