Superior Battalion Chief Joe Tribbey checks on the damage inside Wasabi Japanese Restaurant while firefighters put out hot spots Monday, Jan. 30, in Superior. The fire started just before 12:30 a.m.
SUPERIOR — A fire destroyed Wasabi Japanese Restaurant, 3333 Tower Ave., early Monday morning.
The fire was reported at 12:27 a.m., according to a news release from the Superior Fire Department. Crews arrived two minutes later to find a working fire. It was extinguished at 7:30 a.m.
Superior Battalion Chief Joe Tribbey, right, is surrounded by steam and some smoke as he gives some direction to the crew working to put out hot spots at the Wasabi Japanese Restaurant, 3333 Tower Ave., on a frigid Monday morning, Jan. 30.
Jed Carlson / Superior Telegram
Battalion Chief Joe Tribbey confirmed the building is a total loss.
The wind chill of at least 20 degrees below zero created dangerous conditions as 12 on-duty firefighters, and later, also off-duty personnel, battled the fire. One firefighter reported a minor back injury due to a fall. There were no other injuries.
The Superior Police Department, Mayo Ambulance, City of Superior Public Works, Wisconsin State Patrol and Superior Water, Light and Power assisted at the scene.
ADVERTISEMENT
Superior Battalion Chief Joe Tribbey checks on the damage inside Wasabi Japanese Restaurant, 3333 Tower Ave., while crews put out hot spots Monday, Jan. 30.
Jed Carlson / Superior Telegram
The cause of the fire is under investigation, the news release said.
Wasabi opened in early 2018 in the former O’Neill’s Pub & Liquor, which was known for its drive-thru window. It was a Wendy's restaurant prior to that. Wasabi opened a second location in late 2018 at 132 E. Superior St., downtown Duluth.
This story was updated at 10:15 a.m. Jan. 30 with additional information from the scene and photos. It was originally posted at 7:37 a.m. Jan. 30.
Superior Fire Capt. Mike Hoyt begins to empty a hose outside Wasabi Japanese Restaurant along Tower Avenue on Monday morning, Jan. 30.
Jed Carlson / Superior Telegram
Superior firefighters work to put out hot spots at Wasabi Japanese Restaurant, 3333 Tower Ave., on Monday, Jan. 30.
Jed Carlson / Superior Telegram
Superior firefighter Aidan Kealy-Swenson turns off a hydrant before removing the hose outside Wasabi Japanese Restaurant on Monday, Jan. 30.
Jed Carlson / Superior Telegram
Superior firefighters pack up hoses after battling a fire at Wasabi Japanese Restaurant on Tower Avenue on Monday, Jan. 30.
Jed Carlson / Superior Telegram
From left, Superior firefighters Aidan Kealy-Swenson, Capt. Mike Hoyt, John Lundberg, Battalion Chief Joe Tribbey and Caleb Sorvik pack up after battling a fire at Wasabi Japanese Restaurant on Monday, Jan. 30.
Jed Carlson / Superior Telegram
Ice coats the building and grounds outside Wasabi Japanese Restaurant in Superior after a fire on Monday morning, Jan. 30.
Jed Carlson / Superior Telegram
The sun rises over the sign at Wasabi Japanese Restaurant as smoke and steam cover the area on Tower Avenue in Superior after a fire Monday morning, Jan. 30.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of "staff." Often, the "staff" byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
The Trust Project
