MENOMONIE – Menomonie firefighters were still on the scene on Wednesday morning of a fire that was reported in a building housing a local downtown business around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.
The fire at 244 East Main Street, on the corner of Main Street and Third Street East, housed Town and Country Antiques, as well as several upstairs apartments. There was no report of injuries. The building appears to be a total loss after crews were called in to knock the building down to fight the fire. As of 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, firefighters were still spraying water on the building. Any damage to other businesses and buildings on the block had not yet been determined.
Main Street from Broadway Ave to Fourth Street East and Third Street from Crescent Avenue to Wilson Avenue were blocked off to through traffic.
The building was constructed by Benjamin R. Teare, Sr, in 1923. Teare had purchased the clothing building and business from Oliver Ohnstad. The original building burned Aug. 31, 1922 and Teare rebuilt the following year on the same location. (added May 21, 2025, 8 p.m.)
The City of Menomonie and Menomonie Fire Department released the following Thursday afternoon:
“The City of Menomonie extends heartfelt thanks to all who responded to the downtown fire on the evening of May 20th.
“We are especially grateful for the swift and courageous efforts of the Menomonie Fire Department, as well as the invaluable support from our neighboring departments: Colfax, Boyceville, Durand, Eau Claire, Elk Mound Fire, and Colfax Rescue, who staffed our station during the incident.
“We also want to thank the City Street Department, Water Department, and Xcel Energy for their dedicated on-scene support. Their coordination was essential to maintaining safety during the fire, particularly with high-voltage power lines located near the affected building.
“A sincere thank you goes to CR Bryan & Sons for their excellent heavy equipment work during the response.
”Finally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the many community members who generously provided food and beverages to support our responders throughout the night—your kindness did not go unnoticed.” (Update: Thursday, May, 22)
This is a continuing story and will be updated as more details become available.
