Bio: Weinfurtner, Paul (Bakery Fire - 1965)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Weinfurtner, Dempsey, Doberstein

---------Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 01/07/1965

Weinfurtner, Paul (Soo Line Cafe Fire - 2 JAN 1965)

Fire Chief Harry Dempsey estimated the loss sustained to the building and equipment at Paul's Bakery in a fire that occurred Saturday morning, at more than $7,000. Also damaged was the south wall of the Soo Cafe, where fire broke through it in the ladies' and men's washrooms.

It was 3:26 a.m. when the fire company was alerted and found smoke billowing from the front window of the bakery, as well as the upstairs living quarters.

Firemen found the fire source in the northeast corner of the bakery.

Paul Weinfurtner, owner of the firm, told Chief Dempsey that he had already been downstairs, mixed some dough and turned the fryer on. After son doing, he said, "I always go back upstairs, eat a sandwich and drink a cup of coffee before returning to work."

As he started downstairs he noticed the glow of the blaze and heard the flames and choked on the smoke. He aroused his wife and three small children, grabbed a couple of drawers from the dresser with the children's clothing in them as he hurried downstairs and then alerted the fire company.

Mrs. Doberstein was also preparing to get up for the early morning opening of the Soo Cafe. She said she thought she saw the glow of a blaze in the bakery, but the air being frosty, though it was a reflection and thought too, that Paul was at work. Later she became more suspicious when she heard the tin siding on the all of her building crackling from the heat. As she started to telephone the fire call alert in, the siren sounded.

Chief Dempsey said the fire was undoubtedly a "flash" fire caused when a big mixing kettle fell into the hot grease, causing it to splash onto the heating element.

A decision as to whether the building will be remodeled and reopened is pending the arrival of insurance adjusters.