'It's not easy to see': Sheboygan County bar and restaurant destroyed in overnight fire

TOWN OF SCOTT, Wis. (CBS 58) — A Sheboygan County bar and restaurant was destroyed after an overnight fire.

It happened at The Twisted Pair on County Roads A and S in the Town of Scott.

Officials say ten local fire departments responded, and the building is believed to be a total loss.

"The recipe book made it," laughed executive chef, Jeff Brown, as he surveyed the damage Tuesday morning.

It was one of the more important things salvaged from the remains of The Twisted Pair.

"It's not easy to see," Brown said.

From the north side of the building, damage doesn't look too bad, but inside, it's a different story.

"The main dining area is completely charred and burned out. There's probably a foot of debris on the floor," Brown explained. "The original bar from 1866 is a complete charred mess." 

The fire was called in just before 2 a.m. Tuesday, May 13. Thankfully, no one was inside.

"It sounds like it started around a dryer in the basement," Brown said.

The space has been a bar on Beechwood Lake for nearly 160 years, opening as The Twisted Pair in 2021.

"It's sad. I mean, we poured our heart and soul into this place, you know," Brown said. "The people, the atmosphere, the lake, the food, it's just a unique place."

For now, Brown and co-workers will move to their other location, Beavers Tail in New Prospect. but he promises that The Twisted Pair will rebuild.

"Oh yeah, we'll be back,' Brown said. We'll be back; we'll be better than ever."

Statement from Mark Muench, Chief Beechwood Volunteer Fire Department: 

The Twisted Pair was a very popular bar and restaurant in our little village of Beechwood. We received the page at 1:45 am for a fire at the Twisted Pair. Upon arrival of our first engine crew, heavy fire and smoke were visible from the back or charlie side of the structure. We immediately began an offensive attack...Upon arrival of additional crews entry was made to the basement to begin attack... We remained on scene for 6.5 hrs... The owner, Sean Collins, did an outstanding job restoring the building and preserving its rich history. During the 1930's the original structure was 2 stories with a dance hall. The community is saddened by the fire but hopeful that once again it will be restored.