Historic Lake Church Inn outside Belgium a total loss after fire spreads from kitchen and bar

BELGIUM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An extensive fire swept through the historic Lake Church Inn Tuesday evening, rendering the building a total loss.

No one was injured inside the building, and no fire crews were hurt.

Belgium Fire Chief Daniel Birenbaum said the fire started at around 5:30 in the kitchen and bar area. More than a dozen fire departments responded to try and contain it.

Birenbaum said attack crews went inside and began extinguishing the fire in the kitchen. But Chief Birenbaum said the fire then got into the walls and up to the second floor.

Crews worked on the fire for around an hour-and-a-half to two hours before firefighters were called out of the building, going into defensive attack.

First responders are now in full defensive mode, pulling every fire fighter from the building because the conditions are too dangerous. An excavator is now tearing down the building to expose any hotspots and allow crews to hit them with water. pic.twitter.com/d8mR8TrhSP

— Adam Rife (@AdamRifeReports) May 17, 2023

Birenbaum said they remained in defensive mode while an excavator tore the building down in order to expose potential hotspots.

Strong winds caused problems throughout the night.

There is a home to the immediate west of the inn, and a 10-unit motel to the east. Neither seemed affected by the fire.

Tanker trucks ran laps into Belgium to load up with water before returning to the scene.

The chief anticipated crews would have to fight the fire into the morning hours.

According to the Lake Church Inn website, the building dates back to "1848/1860s".

This is a developing story. Stick with CBS 58 for updates on-air and online.