ESCANABA — Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire that decimated the Stonehouse restaurant in Escanaba.

“We have some evidence that has been sent in for processing,” said Escanaba Public Safety Director John Gudwer. “There is no current timeline for when the evidence will be processed and returned to public safety.’

The fire started late morning on Dec. 21 with first responders getting the call just before 6 a.m. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours while combatting freezing temperatures, as it was a mere 12 degrees F at the time of the fire. Even with officials’ best efforts, the Stonehouse building was completely destroyed. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.