Flames overrun Cycle Haus

WRENCO — A structure fire destroyed a Bonner County motorcycle shop on Monday morning, according to Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS officials.

There were no injuries, although the Quonset hut building and most, if not all, of its contents were lost in the flames, said Selkirk Chief Ron Stocking.

Firefighters were summoned to the Cycle Haus at 54 Berry Lane at approximately 7:40 a.m.

“It was well established by the time we got there,” Stocking said.

In all, 14 firefighters, four engines and three water tenders worked the blaze. A Northside Fire District water tender was also utilized during the fire.

It took firefighters about an hour to knock down the blaze.

“There was not much that was salvageable,” said Stocking. “It was pretty packed-in in there with lots of different things.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although there were no preliminary indications that foul play was involved.

The Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating, which Stocking said is standard procedure.

“We bring them in any time there’s a significant dollar loss,” Stocking said.

Damage from the fire is estimated at between $200,000 and $250,000. Stocking said the building’s owner has homeowners’ insurance.

The building’s owner told firefighters he had stoked a fire and returned to his adjacent home to eat breakfast, Stocking said.

“I’m pretty sure it’s an accidental fire, but because of the significant loss we do our best to investigate those fires just to make sure,” said Stocking.

The Cycle Haus relocated from Sandpoint in 2013, when the Idaho Transportation Department was pursuing a project reconnect Fifth Avenue and U.S. Highway 2. The city, however, turned down the project and the Cycle Haus’ former building was demolished in 2015.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.