ESCANABA — A structure fire at MO’s Pub on Monday afternoon has left the building’s contents a total loss.

The Escanaba Department of Public Safety was dispatched to 2116 Ludington Street at approximately 1:19 p.m. on Monday in response to a report of a fire in the kitchen. Upon arrival, heavy smoke was seen coming from the building.

According to a Monday evening press release, officers made entry into the kitchen to be met with heavy smoke and employees still inside. Employees were escorted to safety while suppression efforts continued. Fire had quickly spread to other parts of the building as responding personnel made interior attacks. Officers battled the blaze for several hours in temperatures excess of 90 degrees before the fire was extinguished.

Public Safety extends its condolences to the business owners. Although the building remains standing, the contents are a total loss. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The EDPS would like to thank Ford River Township, Escanaba Township, Ensign Township, Bark River Township, Mellin Township, the Menominee City Fire Department, the Iron Mountain Fire Department, Nadeau Township, and the Stephenson Fire Department for their assistance in extinguishing the fire.

Additional manpower and apparatus were crucial in rotating personnel on scene to avoid heat exhaustion. Public Safety wishes to thank Delta County Central Dispatch, DTE, Escanaba Electric Department, Escanaba Water Department, Delta County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police – Gladstone Post, Delta County Search and Rescue, The Red Cross, Rampart EMS, Ed Brunette Excavation and all of the local businesses who donated bottled water, Gatorade, food and snacks to the firefighters at the scene.