In a devastating incident Friday night, the Chicago Street Pub in Ledgeview, Wisconsin, suffered a fire that also engulfed the connected New Hope United Methodist Church. Fire investigators have concluded that the exact cause of the fire will remain undetermined due to the extensive damage.
According to Ledgeview Fire Chief Tom Guns, the origin of the fire is believed to be within the church premises. Firefighters faced significant challenges battling the blaze, particularly in the attic’s air-handling unit and the church’s electrical room. Despite their efforts, the fire caused substantial destruction to both the Chicago Street Pub and the church building, located at the corner of Dickinson and Swan roads, just outside De Pere.
Austin DeCleene, the manager of the Chicago Street Pub and a member of the family that owns it, was present when the fire erupted. He recounted the initial moments, explaining that smoke was first detected emanating from the men’s restroom, followed shortly after by smoke in the women’s restroom. Alerted by both staff and concerned passersby, the team acted swiftly, evacuating customers who were enjoying the Friday Fish Fry, a popular weekly event at the Chicago Street Pub. Patrons and staff alike cooperated to move vehicles, ensuring clear access for the responding fire trucks.
Describing the scene in the aftermath, DeCleene painted a picture of an “eerie” stillness. He noted the surreal detail of plates of food and drinks left untouched from the abruptly halted Friday service. Insurance adjusters have already surveyed the remnants of the building to assess the damage. While grappling with the shock, the DeCleene family is proactively making arrangements to continue serving their community and supporting their employees. They plan to salvage what they can from the Chicago Street Pub and establish a temporary operation at the Swan Club, located at 875 Heritage Road in De Pere, offering a limited menu to ensure their staff can continue to receive paychecks.
“Still in awe, just come in here and you just… you see what’s taken place,” DeCleene expressed, highlighting the emotional impact of the scene. He described walking through water-logged areas amidst tables still set with half-eaten meals and drinks. Due to ongoing investigations, nothing can be disturbed, leaving pizzas pulled fresh from the oven and even a curbside order prepared for pick-up, frozen in time. Debris from the church, including chairs and structural I-beams, is scattered around the site, and the lingering smell of smoke permeates the air.
DeCleene acknowledged the rapid spread of the fire from the church to the Chicago Street Pub, but commended the swift response of the fire crews who arrived within minutes. Amidst the debris, even coffee packets blown out by the force of the water hoses serve as poignant reminders of the chaos. Despite the extensive material losses, DeCleene emphasized a crucial point: “The most important thing is buildings can be replaced, equipment can be replaced, but lives can’t and thankfully, everybody was able to make it safe and that is the absolute most important thing.”
Looking ahead, DeCleene confirmed their commitment to rebuild the Chicago Street Pub. While this process is expected to take months, their immediate priority is supporting their 25 employees. The temporary setup at the Swan Club is a crucial step in this direction. They aim to create a makeshift bar and offer a simplified menu, featuring pizza and wings, at the Swan Club’s Legion Hall. The goal is to have this temporary solution operational by July 7th, pending approval from the insurance company. Currently, they are awaiting clearance to begin salvage operations.
DeCleene expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming community support, recounting instances of customers rushing to a nearby store to provide water for the firefighters. He described it as an “unbelievable, a community effort.” Reflecting this outpouring of support, a GoFundMe page has been established to assist the employees and their families affected by the Chicago Street Pub fire. Donations to support the Chicago Street Pub staff can be made HERE. The DeCleene family and the Chicago Street Pub are deeply embedded in the community, and this support underscores the pub’s significance to Ledgeview and De Pere.
