|
|
|
Local, Jeff Schwartz, stood across the street from Lynae’s Bar & Grill and noted that it wasn’t even 12 hours before that a crowd of 70 had occupied the bar following a full day of activities a part of the town’s annual celebration, Echo Days.
Now, it was a little after 1:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon and firefighters were holding down flames that had already gutted the inside of the cafe and bar and threatened the Echo Community Center next door.
“What do you say,” asked owner Lynae Marotzke, of Vesta, rhetorically. “I’ve been there ten years and my whole life is gone.”
It was around 11:30 a.m. Sunday when a patron of Hope Market of Echo looked across the street and noticed smoke. Corlys Chase, a volunteer clerk at the community’s non-profit convenience store, said she initially explained it away as a symptom of grease being cleaned from equipment, but quickly realized otherwise.
By that time, a few locals had already called in the emergency and the city’s volunteer fire department was soon on the scene. Precious minutes later, they would be aided by nine nearby fire departments who filled trucks, then temporary holding pools, with water drawn from Timm Lake to fight the blaze.
“It’s very upsetting to say the least,” said Chase who was brought to tears upon realizing the nature of the smoke. Asked what the establishments meant to the town, her reply was echoed verbatim by other locals presented the same query.
“Everything,” she said without hesitation.
In the decade under her ownership, Lynae’s Bar & Grill had become well known for its home cooked meals and jovial atmospheres.
It served as a community gathering place and the city’s senior meal-site was located in the cafe. Individuals would come from the likes of Redwood and Montevideo for her famous prime rib and other dishes.
“This was her pride and joy, known for miles around for its food,” said Shannon Marotzke, a sister-in-law of Lynae who had worked at the cafe and bar cooking, waitressing and bartending the past two years. “It had great food, great service and was great fun,” she said.
According to Echo Police Chief Tara Engstrom, the fire is being investigated as an accidental fire by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal, Echo Police Department and the Echo Fire Department.
When asked if she would look to rebuild, Lynae Marotzke paused and said that she may change her mind tomorrow, but as of now–yes, she would.
“The community needs it,” she said.
The Echo Fire Department received mutual aid from Redwood Falls, Vesta, Belview, Sacred Heart, Wood Lake, Granite Falls, Clarkfield, Cottonwood and Marshall Fire Departments.
Medical aid was provided by the Echo First Responder, Belview First Responder, Wood Lake First Responders and the Cottonwood Ambulance Service.
Law Enforcement agencies contributing include Echo Police Department and mutual aid from the Upper Sioux Police Department.
Local, Jeff Schwartz, stood across the street from Lynae’s Bar & Grill and noted that it wasn’t even 12 hours before that a crowd of 70 had occupied the bar following a full day of activities a part of the town’s annual celebration, Echo Days.
Now, it was a little after 1:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon and firefighters were holding down flames that had already gutted the inside of the cafe and bar and threatened the Echo Community Center next door.
“What do you say,” asked owner Lynae Marotzke, of Vesta, rhetorically. “I’ve been there ten years and my whole life is gone.”
It was around 11:30 a.m. Sunday when a patron of Hope Market of Echo looked across the street and noticed smoke. Corlys Chase, a volunteer clerk at the community’s non-profit convenience store, said she initially explained it away as a symptom of grease being cleaned from equipment, but quickly realized otherwise.
By that time, a few locals had already called in the emergency and the city’s volunteer fire department was soon on the scene. Precious minutes later, they would be aided by nine nearby fire departments who filled trucks, then temporary holding pools, with water drawn from Timm Lake to fight the blaze.
“It’s very upsetting to say the least,” said Chase who was brought to tears upon realizing the nature of the smoke. Asked what the establishments meant to the town, her reply was echoed verbatim by other locals presented the same query.
“Everything,” she said without hesitation.
In the decade under her ownership, Lynae’s Bar & Grill had become well known for its home cooked meals and jovial atmospheres.
It served as a community gathering place and the city’s senior meal-site was located in the cafe. Individuals would come from the likes of Redwood and Montevideo for her famous prime rib and other dishes.
“This was her pride and joy, known for miles around for its food,” said Shannon Marotzke, a sister-in-law of Lynae who had worked at the cafe and bar cooking, waitressing and bartending the past two years. “It had great food, great service and was great fun,” she said.
According to Echo Police Chief Tara Engstrom, the fire is being investigated as an accidental fire by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal, Echo Police Department and the Echo Fire Department.
When asked if she would look to rebuild, Lynae Marotzke paused and said that she may change her mind tomorrow, but as of now–yes, she would.
“The community needs it,” she said.
The Echo Fire Department received mutual aid from Redwood Falls, Vesta, Belview, Sacred Heart, Wood Lake, Granite Falls, Clarkfield, Cottonwood and Marshall Fire Departments.
Medical aid was provided by the Echo First Responder, Belview First Responder, Wood Lake First Responders and the Cottonwood Ambulance Service.
Law Enforcement agencies contributing include Echo Police Department and mutual aid from the Upper Sioux Police Department.
