(Okoboji)—The dollar estimate of damage from a fire early Monday that pretty much destroyed Tweeter’s in Okoboji could approach a million dollars.
That word from Deputy State Fire Marshal David Schipper.
In addition to equipment and furnishings, several Iowa Hawkeye photos and memorabilia were lost in the fire.
Schipper has ruled the cause of the blaze accidental. He says it was the result of a malfunction of an electrical service that supplied several t.v.’s and a trophy case lighting system in the dining area of the establishment. That service is located in the east wall of a stairway in the main dining area that went to the basement. Schipper says that’s the same area where the fire started.
An alarm system was activated, which notified a monitoring company, which called 911. Several people passing by saw smoke coming from the building and called 911 as well. The blaze was reported around 2:30 a.m.
The Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire Department was assisted on the scene by the Milford Fire Department and several area police departments, along with the Lakes Regional Healthcare ambulance.
Several firefighters remained on the scene several hours later keeping an eye out for flare-ups.
Kay Hoppe, the restaurant’s owner, told KUOO she’s thankful for everyone’s support during this difficult time and that she plans to re-build. Her catering business remains in operation.
