Gasconade County winery destroyed in early morning fire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Gasconade County winery is considered a total loss after a large fire on Sunday morning, according to a press release from the Owensville Fire Protection District.

Fire crews were called to Wenwood Winery on Highway K in Bay — a village just southwest of Hermann — a little before 1:30 a.m. Sunday for reports of a commercial structure fire, the release says.

When Owensville fire crews arrived, 50% of the 15,000 square foot two-story building was engulfed in flames. The release says no one was inside the building at the time of the fire.

Due to cold weather, how large the fire was, and travel time to the nearest "reliable" hydrant, the response was upgraded to a four-alarm fire, where more than 20 vehicles responded, according to the release.

Multiple portable water tanks were sprayed in front of and behind the building. Multiple handheld firehoses were also used.

The fire was under control just before 4 a.m., and crews stayed on scene until 7 a.m.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause.