A building in Wiota that has served many different functions over the past several decades, was damaged by fire late Tuesday night. Firefighters from Wiota, Anita, Atlantic and Cumberland responded to the reported blaze at the Wiota Steakhouse at 302 Center Street, shortly after 11:20-p.m.

Wiota Steakhouse Fire (Ric Hanson/photos)

Wiota Fire Chief Cody Will spoke with KJAN News at around 12:45-a.m. Wednesday, not long after crews had knocked down the flames and were beginning mop-up duties.

(Will said when the first crews arrived, the kitchen was fully engulfed in flames and exiting the rear and the roof of the building and spread to the attic area, where crews were able to stop the spread of the fire. Most of the damage was contained to the kitchen area.)

Firefighters were on the scene for the next hour or so making sure the hot spots were put out. Will said they were attacking the attic area most of the night and it was too early to determine the cause of the fire.  He said later that the fire apparently began with a hot water heater exhaust behind a cabinet that burned through the wood floor. Will said water coming out of the heater was scalding hot even after they tried to cool it down with a hose. An investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office was scheduled to examine the scene sometime today (Wednesday).

The owner of the steakhouse, Barb Mitchell, was understandably upset, according to the Chief.

The restaurant had been scheduled to open later in the day.

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