Grenola Cafe Fire

[DanCookson]

For those that haven't heard, the Howard Fire Department was paged out at approx 3:45 AM on 12/6 to assist the Grenola Fire Dept. with a business structure fire.

Sad to say that the Grenola Cafe had a fire and burned down.  Crews from Howard, Moline, Longton, Elk Falls, and Cambridge responded but the building was engulfed upon arrival.  We were able to isolate the fire to the one building and no other businesses or buildings suffered damage.

Sad to see another business lost 

[Rudy Taylor]

Indeed, that is sad news.  Grenola has such few places of business, and that little cafe was a bright spot in
the community.  Thanks to all the firefighters for their help.

[Roma Jean Turner]

  How sad to hear this.  When I came through this last time, I stopped at Grenola, drove around a little, (the museum was closed).  I almost stopped and went in the restaurant because I had heard how good it was, but was still full from eating at the Swinging Bridge in Moline.  Decided I would eat there on the next trip.

[Teresa]

Thank goodness you all kept the fire from spreading. That was good work on your part. I am so sorry to hear about the cafe. Poor little Grenola is sure struggling keeping something going in the town. I wonder if they will try to put another cafe in somewhere.

[indygal]

What sad news, but I'm glad no one was hurt. We haven't been to Grenola yet, so I'm not familiar with the town. Was this the only cafe? What was it called? I tried to "Google" it but there were a half-dozen different names for a cafe in Grenola, including the Swinging Bridge or Hanging Bridge. Just curious.....

[W. Gray]

The café in Grenola may have been the only business on main street. Someone will probably prompt me if I am incorrect.

At one time it was called the Bank Cafe and then True Grit Cafe but I do not know what the most recent owners called it.

It was housed in a former bank and the last time I was there the vault was used for storage.

I have been there for a meal at least through three owners but had yet to make it over since it last opened.

I belong to the Grenola Historical Society and have been through the museum a couple times. Most local museums will open when called upon but this museum has regular operating hours due to some grants received to fund staffers. Thursday through Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm was the latest I am aware.

The Swinging Bridge Café is in Moline and is another place I frequent when I come to Howard. They should be moving out to the old nursing home this month.

[W. Gray]

Dan Cookson,

Per above, the Howard Fire Department responded to the Grenola fire.

What did the Elk County fire department do?

I understand the Howard fire trucks are housed next to city hall.

Elk County fire trucks are a few blocks away housed next to the ambulance service. I know they have a tanker. What else to they have?

If there is a fire out in the county and the Elk County fire department responds, is it the same fire firefighters who respond for Howard?

Is Danny Signer fire chief for both?

[michael_glenn]

[Roma Jean Turner]

  It's just like looking at the old Corner Cafe in Moline.  Just thinking about it makes so many scenes run through my head.  People and places, loved and missed.

[L Hendricks]

W. Gray,
I can help you a little on your info - Howard and Elk Co still have 2 separate fire dept - Howard located next to city hall and Elk Co located next to Ambulance barn - old school cafe and shop bldg.  Danny S fire chief for Howard - Jim Criger fire chief for Elk Co.  Elk Co has several trucks with tanks - mostly set up for grass fires - the tanker is currently down - needing repairs - the Elk Co Fire Dept is out of budget til the beginning of '08 - so things are pretty tight.  We (the County) have discussed joining forces with the cities on their fire depts and it would benefit most of the towns in Elk Co except for Howard.  Howard's rating is good and by combining with the co could actually lower it.  I believe there are still separate crews on response although they do intermingle.  We are luckily that both Howard, Elk Co and the other ELK Co towns still have great volunteers and I must emphasize VOLUNTEERS - this is a dying breed...And our chiefs have done a good job in training and trying to keep our equipment up to standards.  We need to do more to thank Dan C. and the rest of the firefighters for the job they do.  They have had a rough year for structure fires and last year it was a mean year for grass fires... Thanks guys and gals!