Chelan Fire & Rescue (CFR) conducted a controlled live fire training exercise at the former Apple Cup Cafe on Nov. 9. The site, located at 804 E Woodin Ave., was severely damaged by fire earlier this year on March 24. Fire fighters from Chelan Fire & Rescue, Manson Fire District, Douglas County Fire District and Entiat Fire District participated in the training. The training exercise, made possible through the donation of the building, provided firefighters from four local districts with a realistic environment to hone their skills before the structure's scheduled demolition. This specialized training was a rare opportunity for firefighters to train under realistic conditions, emphasizing the importance of emergency response preparedness.
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Manson Fire District’s Tower 51 sprays water on the back of the of the Apple Cup Cafe on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the live fire training exercise.
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Firefighters from Chelan Fire & Rescue, Manson Fire District, Douglas County Fire District, and Entiat Fire District participated in live fire exercises inside the Apple Cup Cafe on Saturday, Nov. 9.
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Fire breaks through the east wall of the Apple Cup Cafe where the apple mural was located. Part of the mural was taken down and saved to be used in the rebuilt Apple Cup Cafe.
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A firefighter sprays water on the burning Apple Cup Cafe during the live fire training exercise on Saturday, Nov. 9.
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During the live fire training, firefighters were positioned in the alley behind the Apple Cup Cafe to protect utility poles and structures in the area.
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Chelan Fire & Rescue's ladder truck shoots water on the burned Apple Cup Cafe during live fire training on Saturday, Nov. 9.
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Residents of the Lake Chelan Valley started lining the 800 block of East Woodin Avenue early to watch live fire training exercise at the Apple Cup Cafe on Saturday, Nov. 9.
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Two excavators work on piling up the remains of the Apple Cup Cafe as it continued to burn on Saturday, Nov. 9. Area firefighters were released from the live fire training around 1:30 p.m.
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During the live fire training exercise, several firefighters removed their gear and were checked out by Lake Chelan EMS.
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Firefighters from Chelan Fire & Rescue, Manson Fire District, Douglas County Fire District, and Entiat Fire District pose for a photo after the inside live fire training was completed.
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Valley residents had a chance to check out the design of the new Apple Cup Cafe during the live fire training on Saturday, Nov. 9. Permitting for the new restaurant will take place in the next couple of months, with groundbreaking scheduled for March. The restaurant is planned to open in the Spring of 2026.
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Ryan Peterson, owner of the Apple Cup Cafe, talks with firefighters during the live fire training.
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Ryan Peterson, owner of the Apple Cup Cafe, and his son, Jack, pose with a framed press plate from the coverage in the Lake Chelan Mirror of the Apple Cup Cafe’s first free Thanksgiving dinner held in 1996. It was found by a fireman before the live fire training started on Saturday, Nov. 9.
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The iconic sign Apple Cup Cafe sign was taken down this past week and will be reinstalled when the new restaurant is completed.
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