Owners React To Loss Of Bar To Fire

OTSEGO (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - What was once a popular hang out in Otsego is now nothing but a pile of rubble. The Bresa Del Rio was completely destroyed in a fire on Thursday. Authorities suspect a grease fire from a cooking turkey could be to blame.

After two days, the wreckage of the Bresa Del Rio in Otsego was still smoking, and the future of the popular country western club is also clouded in smoke.

Owners Chauncey and Jan Brinn began to pick up the pieces Saturday, and tried to make senses of the Thanksgiving day fire, that claimed their business. For Jan Brinn it was hard to put into words, "It doesn't seem real, it still doesn't seem real. Smebody punch me so I can wake up because I don't like this dream." As she walked around the smoldering remains, she found it hard to put words together, struggling through tears as she tried to describe what had stood only a few days before, "Peoople would come in... and then it would just open all up... this was my life."

Some fans of the famed country western bar had already asked the Brinns about rebuilding. But both Chauncey and Jan questioned whether it would be possible. The fire Thursday began after grease from a deep fryer was spilled in the club's kitchen. It ignited the kitchen and bar and then quickly got out of control. The whole family had gathered at the popular club for Thanksgiving dinner, and were forced to watch fire destroy it all. For Jan and Chauncey it was an enterprised they had built over 17 years, and wondered whether it could be replicated. Jan Brinn also made it clear, if there was going to be a fundraiser, she wouldn't do it for rebuilding just yet, "If we do a fundraiser i'm doing it for the staff, there's so many people this was their only job."

The Brinns says people have brought food, and even brought feed for the horses. Jan Brinn says a friend who's battling cancer even came up to see her and offer support. The Brinns say that on monday they'll meet with bankers and insurance agents and start to weigh their options. Next Saturday friends and staff are going to help clean up the wreckage. But both Chauncey and Jan are unsure about whether public support alone could help the Bresa be reborn. Still Jan Brinn admits that the club is special to many people, "This is more than the Bresa Del Rio, this is home to many people."