Gun Club fire was arson, Rock County Sheriff says
To help
Investigators invited anyone with information about the Saturday fire at The Gun Club restaurant to call the Wisconsin Arson Tip Line at 1-800-362-3005 or e-mail information to arsontipline@doj.state.wi.us. Tipsters may leave information anonymously. Those who wish to contact the Rock County Sheriff's Office may call the detective division at (608) 757-7923.
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Traffic rolls past the remains of the Gun Club, two days after a fire destroyed the Beloit landmark.
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The Gun Club restaurant is nothing but charged piles of debris, two days after a fire that destroyed the Beloit Landmark.
TURTLE TOWNSHIP — The Saturday fire that destroyed The Gun Club restaurant in the town of Turtle was arson, according to investigators.
Rock County Sheriff Bob Spoden said evidence left at the scene indicates arson. Evidence indicates that someone entered the restaurant after it closed. He declined to release more details while the case remains under investigation.
The sheriff's office; federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosions; Wisconsin Department of Justice; and Town of Turtle Fire Department jointly made the determination of arson.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the ATF and the State Fire Marshal still were investigating the site.
"This is a tragic loss of one of the county's finest restaurants," Spoden said in a statement. "The Rock County Sheriff's Office will do everything we can to ensure justice in our community."
Investigators have no suspects or persons of interest at this time. The Wisconsin Arson Insurance Council and ATF are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the fire.
Town of Turtle Fire Chief Tim Huffman said this sort of investigation is new to his department, and it is following the lead of state and federal investigators.
The fire at the restaurant, located at 1122 E. Colley Rd. in Turtle, was reported at 5:13 a.m. Saturday. By the time firefighters arrived, the building was engulfed in flames. Firefighters worked to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby buildings. The fire was under control by 9 a.m. but the building was destroyed.
A previous release from the fire departments in Beloit, South Beloit, Clinton and Turtle said the damage was estimated at $1 million.
The Gun Club had been a popular Beloit-area supper club for decades.
It was known for its steaks and for hosting live music three times a night. Owner Cindy Dajka purchased the restaurant with her husband eight years ago after years as customers.
Dajka told the Gazette on Monday that the employees gathered Saturday night to commiserate over the fire in order to give employees something to do.
"It's like somebody died," said Dajka. "I feel horrible for staff and for the city of Beloit. All the history that's been lost …"
Dajka declined comment Wednesday about the news of the arson.
