Fire at Bigfork inn snuffed quickly

A fire at Swan River Inn on Bigfork's Grand Avenue was stopped in its tracks Wednesday afternoon.

Bigfork Fire and Medical summoned help from the Ferndale and Kalispell fire departments as a precaution. About 35 firefighters reportedly turned up.

According to Assistant Fire Chief Nat O'Farrell, firefighters arrived shortly after 5 p.m. - just a few minutes after the fire was reported - and by then everyone was outside the building. No one was hurt. The fire was knocked down in 15 minutes and was out in about 30 to 45 minutes.

Bigfork fire Chief Rick Trembath said the fire appeared to start in an area adjoining the kitchen. It burned into an attic structure and a couple adjoining rooms, he said. He said he thought the fire likely was accidental and probably involved "kitchen and cooking operations."

O'Farrell said firefighting was complicated by some nearby propane tanks, which reportedly caught fire but didn't explode.

Trembath was pleased with firefighters' efforts.

"I think we did things according to how we train," Trembath said. "That's what we can accomplish."

Damage to the popular cafe and inn was unknown Wednesday evening. Water and smoke damage might exceed fire damage, according to preliminary estimates.

The Swan River Inn recently was remodeled. It contains six themed suites, a restaurant and a facility for weddings and other events.

The county fire investigation team will try to determine the cause of the fire.