A restaurant anchored for decades in the Quad Cities is being torn down after an overnight fire.
Moline’s fire department was called to the riverfront staple before 11 p.m. Monday night.
Crews remained on scene well into the afternoon today as the focus now turns to investigating what caused it.
When they arrived, they said the building was fully engulfed in flames, and they could only fight it from the outside.
The city’s fire chief, Jeff Snyder, said the building is a total loss, but no one was injured.
Demolition of the building has already started in areas that were deemed unsafe before an investigation can begin.
“We have yet to even put an investigator into the structure,” Snyder said. “Once that structure been deemed stabilized, we’re working on that right now; then we’ll start the investigation process.”
Snyder added, “They’re trying to bring walls down, so we don’t have to worry about any collapse before we can get an investigator in there.”
Firefighters from East Moline and the Rock Island Arsenal fire departments also assisted.
Weather played a significant factor in fighting this fire.
Snyder said, “Cold temperatures, the wind last night and overnight during fire operations was a significant challenge.”
The remains of the chilly struggle coat the now charred restaurant.
When Moline firefighters first arrived, they say the building was filled with flames.
Snyder said, “We were never at a point where we put firefighters into the structure. It just wasn’t safe to do that.”
For much of the late night and early morning fight, the concern for crews wasn’t just for the danger of fire but also ice.
“From that initial report until about 3 a.m., we wanted to limit.” Snyder said, “We were concerned about exposure, frostbite issues, so we were working in about a 15 to 20-minute range and then trying to rotate when we could.”
Snyder says that was made easier with crews from East Moline and the Rock Island Arsenal Fire Departments providing assistance and a MetroLink bus was even there to provide some shelter from the elements.
But it’s not just the people left freezing in the cold.
Snyder said, “One fire truck on the scene that’s been here the whole time, so we’re to have to face those issues of trying to get it unfrozen from the ground and the fire hydrant.”
EARLIER UPDATE
River Drive in Moline has reopened to traffic.
EARLIER UPDATE
The Captain’s Table in Moline is being torn down after the overnight fire.
EARLIER UPDATE
River Drive in Moline will be closed until late this afternoon due to the fire at the Captain’s Table. Traffic is being rerouted at 41st Street and 55th Street.
EARLIER STORY
The Captain’s Table on River Dr. in Moline went up in flames overnight Monday into Tuesday morning. Crews are still working in the frigid temperatures to battle the blaze early Tuesday morning.
According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, this comes hours after they announced parts of the building had just been remodeled and the bar was almost complete. Workers say they were excited to share the remodeling additions which employees had done almost by themselves.
The Captain’s Table also released a statement saying, “We are devastated. Our family has lost our home and our job for now. We are absolutely devastated by the tragedy that has happened tonight. We want to let our friends, family & concerned customers know that everyone is safe. Thank you everyone for your concern and support.”
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