Authorities are looking for the cause of a fire that destroyed a popular Northeast Iowa restaurant.


Fire crews were dispatched at about 9:30am Monday, to Gus and Tony's Pizza and Steakhouse, located on West Main Street in Waukon.

Thick, black smoke was seen coming from the building; there are living quarters on the second floor, however everyone was evacuated, and no injuries were reported. Two children, their mother and their pet were rescued by a passer-by.

The smoldering fire burned for several hours; fire crews had to tear down walls to extinguish the blaze.

Gus and Tony's has been a fixture in downtown Waukon for nearly 40 years; the owners have not yet indicated if they will rebuild.

The Waukon Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Decorah Fire Department, which brought their aerial ladder truck, and the Waterville Fire Department.

A damage estimate and the cause of the Monday morning fire at Gus and Tony's have not been released.

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