Fire breaks out at Ashley's Que in Walker's Point; "Tried throwing water and everything"

Fire breaks out at Ashley`s Que in Walker`s Point

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee firefighters on Tuesday afternoon, February 21st responded to a fire at a restaurant in Walker's Point. FOX6 News has learned the owners of Ashley's Que have had a streak of bad luck. First, a vehicle went through one of their restaurants. Then, a fire damaged that same restaurant. They said they're in disbelief after what happened Tuesday.

Jessie Goodwin

"I was actually in disbelief. It can't happen in six months, is what I was thinking. We're keeping high hopes and our heads up high. God has a reason for everything and so, we`re just going to wait it out and see what`s his next plan for us," Jessie Goodwin, general manager and the owner's daughter said.

Firefighters were dispatched around 2:40 p.m. and came upon heavy smoke at the building. Fire officials said it appeared the fire started in the back of Ashley's Que, located near 2nd and National, and moved towards the front.

"I saw the smoke all over. It was a hectic scene," Francisco Stelzl said.

Fire at Ashley's Que in Walker's Point

It is believed the fire started in the kitchen.

Officials at one point called for a second alarm. It appeared the fire was running up a vent and into the roof section of the building. A short time later, the fire was indeed contained to the back of the building. The fire, officials said, did not make it to the front of the building. Luckily, it did not spread to the restaurant area.

"We made an offensive attack, aggressive attack into the interior of the building to locate the seed of the fire," Terry Lintonen, MFD deputy chief said.

Fire at Ashley's Que in Walker's Point

Everyone inside of the structure was safely evacuated.

Credit: Jason Murans

Tyanna Currin

FOX6 News spoke with a manager who was in the kitchen when the fire started. She was one of three people in the building at the time -- all employees.

"I was in the kitchen helping the other cook and then it just caught on fire. Like, it was just 'woosh.' That's all we heard. I look up and it's a fire. Tried throwing water and everything. It was a lot," Tyanna Currin said.

Currin said she ran from the building when the smoke became overwhelming.

Ashley's Que has temporarily closed after this fire.

Fire at Ashley's Que in Walker's Point