Fire breaks out during dinner hour at McFarland’s Maple Tree Supper Club

MCFARLAND, Wis. (WMTV) - A fire broke out Wednesday at the Maple Tree Supper Club while the restaurant was fully occupied during its dinner hour, McFarland’s fire chief said.

Dispatchers stated that the fire was reported just before 5:20 p.m. Wednesday at the restaurant at 6010 US-51 in McFarland.

McFarland Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Dennis said the restaurant was having its normal dinner hour when a fire started in the kitchen and then extended into the roof of the building. The kitchen crew called the fire department to come to the scene.

The building was fully occupied at the time and was evacuated, Dennis explained.

Firefighters had the fire under control within 10-15 minutes of the department being notified, Dennis said.

Dennis offered encouraging news about status of the building.

“The structure is still salvageable,” Dennis said. “There will be extensive repairs to the kitchen area. The dining rooms and the bar areas of the restaurant are relatively untouched.”

McFarland resident Keith Schroeder said he had been coming to the Maple Tree Supper Club for years and said he hoped everyone was OK.

“I hope it’s not a loss, I just hope that everyone’s OK too which is the most important part,” Schroeder said. “It would be sad if this place goes because it’s definitely a staple for McFarland and a lot of people here in the area.”

McFarland fire officials said no one was injured during the fire and all patrons were able to evacuate the building.

Schroeder said he had thought about going to the restaurant Wednesday night and that it’s a Sunday tradition for him.

“As long as I can remember, the Maple Tree has always been here,” Schroeder said.

McFarland fire and police were both listed as the primary agencies. Dennis noted that a box alarm was set off, which called agencies from around the area.

The cause of the fire has not been determined yet.

The restaurant is family owned and has been operating since 1985, according to its website.

According to a traffic alert from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation around 6:35 p.m., all lanes of traffic were closed in both directions on US 51 at Burma Road due to a structure fire. All lanes of traffic reopened around 8:35 p.m., an updated alert indicated.

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