For many years, the Black Bear Bar & Grill has sat next to the Eau Claire river near Augusta. Locals said it’s one of the iconic buildings of the area. Now all that’s left are its charred walls and the name on a sign. Someone in the house near the bar noticed smoke coming from the building around 10:45 p.m. last night. When emergency crews arrived, they could see flames coming out of the building’s roof and sides. The roof collapsed and most of the items were destroyed. Fire crews took preventative steps to not let the fire spread to other buildings. An investigation into the cause of the fire continues, but officials on Thursday said they think it started in the southside of the bar. Fall Creek Area Fire District Chief Jamie Kaeding said the building’s shape and layout made this fire difficult to fight.