Fire causes $25,000 in damage to Mige's in Milford

(Photo by Brian Craig) Milford and Arnolds Park firefighters were on scene for two hours Wednesday evening to extinguish a fire at Mige's Restaurant in south Milford.

Fire has struck another Lake area business as flames continue to break out in area structures and grasslands.

On Wednesday evening, Milford firefighters battled a blaze at Mige's Restaurant, formerly Dan'z Restaurant, in south Milford. Damage is estimated at over $25,000.

Milford Fire Captain Shane Langholz says a passing motorist called in the fire at 7:04 p.m. All workers and patrons who were inside the restaurant were able to escape the blaze unharmed because the motorist stopped at the restaurant and alerted everyone inside.

"Upon arrival, firefighters encountered flames showing from the west side of the restaurant," said Iowa State Fire Marshal David Schipper. The entire restaurant was also filled with smoke.

Members of the Arnolds Park/ Okoboji Fire Department were called immediately to assist.

"The fire was brought under control with an outside attack," said Schipper.

Firefighters were on scene for approximately two hours extinguishing the fire and venting smoke and heat with the use of the Arnolds Park/Okoboji aerial ladder truck.

The State Fire Marshal investigated the structure on Thursday morning.

"The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental," said Schipper. "The area of origin for the fire was determined to be located in the northwest corner of the building in an open overhang storage area that was attached to the main building. The most probable cause for this fire was discarded smoking materials that ignited surrounding combustibles."

Schipper concluded that the fire spread from the open storage area located under an overhang into the cooler/freezer room in the building. The damage was contained to the rear west portion of the building.

(subhead) Grass fires

While structure fires are keeping firefighters busy this week, last week, it was grass fires that plagued the Lakes area.

"We had a lot of grass fires last week," said Milford Firefighter Russ Bell. "It was so dry and the wind was just right... Last Wednesday alone, there were three in the county between us [Milford], Arnolds Park/Okoboji and Terril."