The Busted Lift Burns - March 8th, 2003

UPDATE! - The day after. Twelve hours later, sadness has turned to optimism as the Busted Lift's owners get back inside their bar to find that despite the devastation above, the bar itself has been left nearly untouched. Get all the details and a brand new photo archive from Sunday, March 9th, Chick here. Also, See our previous images of the Busted Lift's Renovation up to March 7th. Click Here.

"These are the bad pictures." That's the first thing John Finn, owner of the Busted Lift said to me as we crossed paths on a bitterly frozen Old Main Street late Saturday night. Seemingly unaware that he was wearing only a t-shirt in the gusting 4 degree midnight air, he was making a reference to the series of pictures that Dubuque365.com has been taking of the remodeling progress on the expansion of the favorite downtown nightspot over the past few months. The pictures from tonight were to be in stark contrast. Sometime after 10:30p.m., The Busted Lift succumbed to flames.

Thick smoke billowed out of both the front and back of the building as we arrived. Emergency vehicles were everywhere and police tape was up to keep the onlookers at bay, but it was perhaps the bone-chilling weather that kept most from staying outside for too long. Emergency worked fought diligently against the uncooperative temperatures with at least five hoses aimed at the burning building. There is a very unpleasant side effect to spraying thousands of gallons of water into the air on a near zero degree night. Firemen, even fire vehicles had to work carefully when maneuvering on the now ice covered streets.

Everyone is OK

When we spotted some friends who were working at the bar that night I checked first to see if everyone was OK, then, of course, asked what happened. Teal, one of the young women tending bar said that about 60 patrons were in the bar when they started hearing noises from the floor above and then what appeared to be sparks began to shower down the stairs on the Main street side of the bar. The staff quickly ushered everyone to the door. There was no pushing or panic, everyone exited safely and calmly. Owner John Finn was in the expansion next door and was quickly summoned by a staffer. At first he saw smoke billowing down, knew there was fire, but hoped it was small and still containable. Soon he realized that this was not the case.

A Unique Vantage Point

From the roof of the Julien Inn, we may have had the best vantage point of anyone on scene. Thanks to the kindness of Chuck Kotz, the manager of the Julien, who not only allowed us access, but also joined up on the roof to take in the awesome view of this terrible, terrible event, we were able to see the activity on the front and back of the building simultaneously. We were also aware of the hot spots forming on the roof as well as the tremendous flames engulfing the access door to the roof. On the phone with emergency dispatch, Ben Burke from our staff notified the authorities of the additional flames on the roof and the holes forming. Soon after, we saw the hydraulic hoses raised higher in the air and a water assault began on the flames atop the building.

It quickly became clear that it was not going to be enough to save the roof. After about 20 minutes, we were joined by Dave Kettering, a TH photographer and we waited together for the inevitable collapse of the roof. If it was cold on the ground, then the roof of the Juien was pure misery. We had to retreat to the warmth on indoors. We quickly returned to the 365 offices and downloaded our photos to go back with empty RF cards and warmer clothes. Back atop the Julien, we could now see the roof had indeed fallen. The only hope now was to save the adjacent businesses, Canvas Products to the north and At Home Mortgage to the South. In the end it appears as though both sustained damage. Canvas Products appears to look like it's going to be OK. At home Mortgage, the business above the Busted Lift's expansion did not fair so well. Although it looks like they will lose everything in the office, they did eventually have the firefighters retrieve a vital computer that was luckily located at the front of the business where the fire did not reach. It was however, quite wet.

The Busted Lift Family

Nearing 2:00a.m. the fire was all but extinguished. The extended family of the Busted Lift, as indeed there are many people who are included in this close circle of friends, has gathered across the street out if the cold in the comforting surroundings of Grape Harbor, a wonderful wine store and bar on lower Main Street. Jamie Carroll, owner of the store, was incredibly generous and kind to open her door and her hospitality to an obviously shocked and saddened Busted Lift family. After way too long in the cold, we were welcomed to join them inside to warm up. The mood was definitely somber but definitely not defeated. This is a proud group of people who pulled together to support each other. Constance, who helps manage the bar, was tending bar at the time of the fire. Once things calmed down and the reality of the situation set in she was unable to hold back her emotions. Her friends comported her. For about the twentieth time in two hours, another image has made my heart sink. This time, I saw the loss I was feeling amplified ten times through someone else who was far more attached to the Busted Lift than even I was. I cannot begin to imagine what they are feeling tonight.

I don't believe it has hit John, the owner of the bar, yet. He seems to be a rock at the moment, doing what has to be done, working with the fire department and seeing to everyone else's needs. His father and business partner, Jack Finn sits quietly at the bar in the Grape Harbor. After a few words, he simply said to me, "Everything there is gone." The way he said it left me unable to reply, for fear that the crack in my voice would show itself.

This Time it's Personal.

We cannot directly see the Busted Lift from our 365 offices, so when we first saw the smoke, we counted approximate building widths from afar to guess the placement of the fire. When we quickly realized that we were seeing smoke from what could only be the Lift, our hearts sank and that sick feeling immediately rushes to your stomach. The Busted Lift is burning.

We have a long history with the Busted Lift. Dubuque365.com was invented there, at the round table in the corner, just in front of the ice cooler. A mere two blocks from our office, it was our favorite place to relax, take meetings and spend time with friends. After the loss of the Silver Dollar Cantina to the same fate two years ago, the Busted Lift became the only home of unique live music from across the country and the world in Dubuque. It also featured a comforting atmosphere that no other establishment has been able to match in the area. We love the Lift and frankly, we're not sure what we're going to do without it.

To all of our friends at the Busted Lift, and to the others in the extended family who lost a home away from home tonight, we extend our deepest sympathy and sorrow for your loss. Knowing how hard you worked in recent months to begin a new era for the Lift makes the pain of watching it all burn hurt that much more. We are ever thankful that no one was hurt in the tragedy. That seemed to be the biggest point of concern and cause for relief amongst John and his staff. We wish them the very best as they begin the daunting task of rebuilding their dreams. We are here for you.

John had a dream to expand the Lift to twice it's size and complete a restaurant on the second floor. Part of that dream was recently completed and tomorrow night was supposed to be the debut of the expanded Busted Lift with Mike and Amy Finders, local musical favorites, on the brand new stage. After Saturday, March 8th, John Finn's dream will have to remain just that. Until one day when the Busted Lift lives again and the Guinness flows. And we are confident that will indeed happen, because what is the Busted Lift family without a place to come home to... - Bryce Parks

Below are 28 photos of Saturday's tragic event. We hope they help you get a sense of what is was like to be there and help you empathize with the loss that a lot of people are feeling today.

-Photos by Ben Burke

Also, Dubuque365.com had been following the construction work on the expanded Busited Lift for some time. You can still see thoses photos on-line here. For most of you, this may be your only chance to experience the new Busted Lift, for as John Finn said the night of the fie, it exists now only in these photos. Click Here for the construction feature.

Long live the Busted Lift.