A fire early Thursday destroyed Charlie's Texas Smokehouse Bar and Grill northeast of Wausau, leaving the building a total loss.
Firefighters were called at about 1 a.m. on Oct. 22 to the restaurant at 235415 Chico Road, just off Highway 52 in the Town of Wausau. Owner Charles Wandall said he opened the door and found the kitchen engulfed in flames.
Crews from the Town of Wausau, Ringle, Easton and Hewitt fire departments responded. Town of Wausau Fire Chief Kyle Borchardt said the fire was difficult to put out and crews brought in a backhoe to reach the flames. Firefighters were on scene for about five hours, clearing around 6 a.m.
Investigators determined the fire started in the kitchen, but the damage was too extensive to establish an official cause. Wandall said he believes an electrical problem in the old building, which dates to at least the 1920s, may have been responsible, and that the fire spread into the ceiling.
No injuries were reported. The Wandalls bought the building, long known as Chico's Mexican restaurant, about a year ago.
