Two residences evacuated; no injuries reported
It appears the building that houses Martini Mo’z tavern in downtown Waterford is a total loss as the result of a fire that struck the building early Friday morning.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, according to a press release issued by the Village of Waterford. Two occupants who lived on an upper floor of the building and two residents of an adjacent building have been evacuated without incident. The Red Cross has been contacted to assist those residents.
A witness said firefighters from several departments remained on the scene past 8 a.m. and it appeared the building was still smoldering.
Waterford and Racine County Sheriff’s officials reported that emergency crews were dispatched to the building at the corner of 1st and Main streets at 3:37 a.m. for a report of smoke coming from the basement level of the building.
A witness who lives about 10 blocks from the fire scene said he awoke Friday and saw an orange glow from the flames lighting the morning sky.
The fire scene snarled traffic in the heart of Waterford with both 1st and Main streets – the village’s main thoroughfares – blocked while firefighters battled the blaze.
Village officials urged drivers to avoid the area throughout much of Friday as clean up and investigation of the fire site continues. They recommend motorist avoid downtown Waterford by using Highways 36, D and W through the Village of Rochester.
A driver who regularly commutes from Waterford to Burlington said it took him 35 minutes to travel the short distance from Waterford to Rochester about 7:30 a.m.
Check back later for additional updates and see the Jan. 10 print edition of the Waterford Post for a full report in the aftermath of the fire.
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So sad to see this for all involved. I am a former Waterford resident and this was my great grandfathers tavern . His last name was Kortendick and the name had remained on the upper facade for all these years. Thankful no one was injured. Elaine(Herban) wagner
Elaine Wagner — My relatives were also involved in what was then
know as Heck’s tavern. Walter (Red) Heck owned the tavern, I believe, and his sister, Leona, lived in the back.
–Lorraine Bakke
I, too am a former resident of Waterford and remember both of you ladies. I also remember walking past the little fenced in yard behind Heck’s Tavern and Leona kept a beautiful German Shepherd dog there. She was always so sweet and kind.She grew flowers there, too. I believe Trimborn’s Appliance store was on the other side of the little yard.
Didn’t the Herban’s run the tavern on Jefferson St. across from the now industrial park? I remember Helen Herban and I thought there was three girls in the family. We did have a lot of taverns in Waterford! I passed them every day walking to St. Thomas school. Rittman’s Dept. store, Zimmer drug store, Dick’s market, Dick’s Barber shop – all gone now.
I remember that tavern on the way to Rochester. I still like to think about Waterford as it was when I grew up there. Zimmer’s Drug, Rittman’s Dept. Store ( loved the Durogloss fingernail polish display) and Dick’s Market, the Library in the Noll house on the corner across from Bilitz’s bakery. One of the Herban daughters was a student teacher at Waterford Graded School when I was in seventh or eighth grade. She taught a class on algae. Can’t believe I remember that, but I do. 🙂