Casper Fire investigators are examining the second floor of a downtown building this morning that was severely damaged in a fire last night.
Police responded to the fire at about 9:20 at 109 East Second Street. Patrons at Frontier Brewing Company and Tap Room next door reportedly called in the fire after some smelled smoke.
“It was unbeknown to us that the building inhabited an apartment,” said Casper Fire PIO Jason Parks this morning.
“There were four occupants inside, they all got out,” said Parks.
One person was transported to Wyoming Medical Center, and two pet cats died according to Parks. The condition of the hospitalized person is unknown this morning.
“We have significant damage to the second floor,” said Parks, who described the apartments as “a maze”.
According to Parks, the building wasn’t fitted with a sprinkler system, which is required by code for a residential and commercial mix building. “We did find that a little bit concerning,” said Parks.
The apartments are above health food store Alpenglow Natural Foods, which suffered significant smoke damage according to Parks.
Neighboring business Frontier Brewing may have also suffered some smoke damage. Inspectors and employees were on site this morning to determine the extent.
Frontier Brewing’s brewmaster Collin Rudkin said he wasn’t sure yet if the ingredients such as grains and barley had suffered any smoke damage. He was also concerned with the beer currently brewing in tanks because the building’s heater was turned off last night. “The brew tanks have gotten a little chilly, so that alone could cause some issues,” said Rudkin.
