OSHKOSH − The cause of a late-night fire that ravaged Players Pizza & Pub appears to be electrical in nature.
Players’ owner Tim Murray said the cause of the fire seems to have been found in a wall and believed to be an electrical connection to Players’ heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
Murray gave the most recent update in a Facebook post days after the popular pizza joint succumbed to a structure fire late Aug. 12 at 556 W. Fifth Ave.
According to Murray, firefighters believed the issue was the result of an electrical connection to the HVAC system, but they needed to meet with an insurance inspector before confirming the cause of the fire.
What does the damage to Players look like?
The kitchen and roof need to be replaced before Players Pizza & Pub can rebuild, Murray said, though he did not give a timeline for the process.
The Players owner also revealed that more than 100,000 gallons of water had to be pumped out of the basement.
The bar area also will need to be restored, but the first floor, party room and game room remain intact.
Players management was also able to save all of the tills, money in the ATM and memorabilia on the restaurant’s walls.
Murray expressed further gratitude in the post, saying local restaurants have offered to hire Players’ staff on a temporary basis so the restaurant “can thrive again.”
“The incredible thing is the customers who love the establishment and became our friends over the years proved that with our Facebook page getting blown up and phone going crazy as well,” Murray wrote.
“As for rebuilding — that will happen, time frame can’t be estimated now as we had the devastation of Menasha tornado occur just 8 miles from the restaurant and contractors are busy.”
Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh pizza pub plans to rebuild after fire. Here’s the latest.
Reporting by Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern | USA TODAY Network
