A fire has destroyed Bass Bay Brewhouse in Muskego.
Firefighters were called to the restaurant at 6 a.m. Friday and the fire was finally extinguished by 1:30 p.m. Initial assessment from indicate the building is a total loss, according to the Muskego Police Department. It’s not yet known what caused the fire; the investigation was ongoing Friday afternoon.
Nobody was injured, but the occupants of a residence attached to the restaurant were taken to local hospital as a precaution.
Located in residential Muskego at S79 W15851 Aud Mar Dr., the restaurant is owned by Ryan Oschmann. Businesses on the property have been operated on-and-off by the Oschmann family since the 1950s. The Aud-Mar Supper Club, which closed in 2007, previously operated on the site.
In 2014, Ryan Oschmann, along with his mother, Laurie, and other partners, decided to return to the restaurant business and opened Bass Bay Brewhouse – despite the name, it does not include a brewery – the following year. The brewpub-style spot was popular for private parties and weddings on its extensive lakeside patio on Bass Bay Lake, which funnels into Big Muskego Lake.
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The fire broke out just before dawn on Friday, and aerial footage from WISN 12 News showed large flames billowing into the still-dark sky from the building. The Tess Corners Fire Department, which serves Muskego, was the first on the scene. After confirming that all occupants had been safely evacuated, fire suppression operations began immediately while a request was made for additional support from surrounding communities to aid in battling the massive blaze. A dozen other departments aided in the effort.
“Freezing temperatures and the absence of nearby hydrants have created challenging conditions, and we ask the public to avoid the area,” the Fire Department stated earlier Friday.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. Bass Bay Brewhouse has been a longstanding and valued part of the community, and its loss will be felt by many,” the fire department said in a statement. “The level of support from our regional partners has been significant, and we are deeply appreciative of everyone assisting in today’s response.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Oschmann family this morning,” the Muskego Police Department added in a social media post.
The news adds to a bad month for restaurants after the National Cafe’s sudden closure and Beans and Barley’s planned shuttering.
