'We were like a family there': Community recalls well-known St. Cloud bar destroyed in fire

Tuesday, officials with the St. Cloud Fire Department are expected to give an update on the fire that destroyed a well-known bar Monday.

The city's battalion fire chief, Jerry Raymond, confirmed with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that crews were called to the Press Bar and Parlor at about 2:30 a.m. Monday and battled the fire for hours.

Raymond said demolition of the bar was required in order to completely extinguish the fire, which firefighters believe started in the building's basement. The building is considered to be a total loss.

Fire chief: Demolition required to completely extinguish St. Cloud bar fire

No one was hurt as a result of the fire.

Press Bar and Parlor was considered a downtown staple and patrons have been visiting the establishment for nearly 50 years.

"It's devastating for all of us," employee Isabelle Reischl said. "There are a lot of good people that come to it and you have regulars who come in so it's really hard."

Employee Ashley Hill added, "You meet so many new faces and you connect with people and we were like a family there, so it's really devastating."

Raymond said at one point, conditions were so intense as firefighters battled the fire, that crew members couldn't see beyond their own hands.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Stay with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS and KSTP.com for updates following Tuesday morning's news conference.