Community helps Boulder Creek Brewery and Cafe after devastating fire
UPDATE 4:40 p.m.: Community members who want to help Boulder Creek Brewery employees can visit this link: http://www.gofundme.com/qg8wgc
UPDATE 3/30/15: An iconic brewery in Boulder Creek went up in flames early Sunday morning. NewsChannel 5 is learning how the community is working to help the employees at Boulder Creek Brewery.
“I’m heartbroken. It’s devastating to us,” Boulder Creek resident Michelle Anaya said.
32078020Crews from as far away as Santa Cruz responded to the two-alarm fire at Boulder Creek Brewery. The fire tore through the roof causing it to collapse, just as firefighters pulled out. Fire officials said the ladder truck from Santa Cruz was used for the first time in downtown Boulder Creek history. While no one was hurt, hearts were crushed to see the charred building. It was a place where Anaya and her friends met every Friday night.
“We’re not knowing where we’re going to go now. It’s going to be really a hardship for us to figure out and we’re all going to get together and I’m sure that the whole community, is going to get together and try to help them out,” Anaya said.
In fact it’s already happening at Joe’s Bar just up the road where a fundraiser was held Sunday to help out. Others are concerned about the aftermath. Susan Adams and her husband were walking near the brewery and noticed foam spilling downhill from the fire.
“It goes a pretty long ways and we’re kind of concerned about what that’s doing to the animals,” Adams said.
On Sunday, the nearby San Lorenzo River was completely covered with white fire-retardant foam. We reached out to U.S. Fish and Wildlife but haven’t heard back.
Boulder Creek Fire Chief Gabe Vega said the foam is generally not harmful and should be gone by Monday. Fire officials are still investigating and the cause of the fire
By Sunday, Joe’s Bar said it raised about $5,000 for the employees who aren’t able to work because of the fire. According to Boulder Creek Brewery’s Facebook page, the restaurant owners want all of their staff to know The Surfrider Caf in Santa Cruz will be holding training sessions so brewery employees can pick up shifts. That’s happening Monday and Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.
UPDATE 11:56 P.M.: Approximately $5,000 has been raised to help the employees of the Boulder Creek Brewery and Cafe after a fire destroyed their property early Sunday morning.
The money was generated from an impromptu fundraiser at Joe’s Bar in Boulder Creek.
Joe’s Bar employees tell News Channel 5 they’ll keep the fundraiser going until they close at 2 a.m.
According to Boulder Creek Brewery’s Facebook page, the Surfrider Cafe in Santa Cruz will be hosting training sessions Monday and Tuesday for Brewery employees so they can pick up shifts.
UPDATE 3:47 P.M.: An early morning fire destroyed the Boulder creek Brewery and cafe, according to the Boulder Creek Fire Chief Gabe Vega.
Fire crews responded to a report of a fire at 1:45 a.m. Sunday, from an employee at the restaurant. Upon arrival, fire crews found the upstairs office fully engulfed and called a second alarm, Vega said.
Fire crews had to utilize a ladder truck’s elevated master stream for the first time ever in the downtown area, Vega said. He added the last time crews did an operation like was when the Brookdale Lodge burned down in 2009.
Volunteer firefighters form Ben Lomond, Felton and Zayante assisted with the fire, Vega said. He added, one engine from the Santa Cruz Fire Department and two engines from Cal Fire were also on scene.
Crews shut down Highway 9 for hours. The highway has since been reopened.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Vegas said the department is saddened by the loss and hopes the owners will be able to rebuild the restaurant that many residents and travelers frequent throughout the years.
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An early morning fire destroyed the Boulder Creek Brewery and Cafe, according to the Boulder Creek Fire Department.
The business located on the 13000 block of State Route 9, caught on fire just after 1:45 a.m. Sunday, the fire department said.
The Fire Department closed the highway for several hours. It’s since been reopened.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
