Crews are tearing down a fire-ravaged building in downtown St. Cloud to allow city fire fighters to get to the flames that erupted early Monday morning.
The building housed the Press Bar and Lounge, which is described as a total loss.
Firefighters are battling a blaze at the Press Bar downtown St. Cloud. https://t.co/W0wSUw1y6Z
— KNSI Radio (@KNSI)
February 17, 2020 The fire was called in around 2:40 a.m. Monday on the 500 block of West St. Germain Street in the heart of St. Cloud's downtown
Because the building was fully engulfed, firefighters were forced to take a defensive tack for their safety.
All fire fighters were pulled out of the building because of structural concerns.
"The only way that we're going to get this fire out is by pulling the building down and getting to where the fire is still burning," said St. Cloud fire battalion chief Jerry Raymond during a press conference near the site of the fire.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave dedicated firefighters who have been fighting the fire at the Press bar since early this morning. Thinking also of all the businesses and their employees effected by this fire in downtown St. Cloud.
— Mayor Dave Kleis (@MayorDaveKleis)
February 17, 2020 No one was hurt and it's not known how the fire started.
"The best guess we have right now, we know it started in the basement," said Raymond. "Other than that, as far as the exact cause, we might not know for a day or two."
Fire departments from Sartell and Sauk Rapids, along with off-duty fire fighters, were called in to help bring the blaze under control.
