A fire severely damaged Haskell’s bar and liquor store in Excelsior early Tuesday morning. The fire started around 1:30 a.m. on the outside of the building on the patio.
The building houses a bar, restaurant, and liquor store. Firefighters from five departments took about 90 minutes to control the blaze. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The fire was contained to the bar side of the building and did not spread to the liquor store side. However, the bar is reported to be totaled, with a collapsed ceiling inside.
Haskell’s has been a local institution since 1934. Ted Farrell, a local resident, described it as “the local place to go” for relaxation and community gatherings.
Community impact:
- The restaurant will be closed for the foreseeable future as they assess the damage.
- Excelsior Fire Chief Nate Basinger commented that this incident will have an impact on the community.
- Fire crews remained on scene to assess smoke and structural damage after extinguishing the flames.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Officials have not confirmed any further details regarding potential injuries or additional damage.
As Haskell’s team stated, “Thank you for your support and patience while we navigate this.” The community eagerly awaits news on their beloved local tavern’s future.
