THOMA, Wis. (WKOW) — The City of Thoma is recovering from a fire that ripped through a small business Friday night.
The Tomah Fire Department said it took nearly nine hours to extinguish the Sassy Girl Aroma fire, according to a press release. The agency was joined by numerous other first response departments, including Oakdale Fire Department, Fort McCoy Fire Department, and Volkfield Fire Department.
A total of 88 firefighters were called to the scene, according to a press release.
“This is not an inconvenience. This is complete chaos,” Tomah Mayor Mike Murray said.
Just three months ago, a fire broke out at a Beijing Chinese restaurant in downtown Tomah. Murray said the community is responding to the fire the same way it did in November.
“My phone keeps ringing with people offering food, water, a place to stay, money, etc. What can we do?” Murray said.
He said several companies were evaluating clothing options and delivering items such as pizza, coffee, donuts and water to people affected by the fire.
“We're hoping to rebuild downtown,” Murray said. “This is people's lives and their dreams.”