Monday morning fire closes Finnegan's until further notice

A kitchen fire broke out early Monday morning at Finnegan’s Family Restaurant on East Idaho in Kalispell.

Kalispell Fire Department responded to the location at 660 E. Idaho St. at 6 a.m. Crews found heavy smoke issuing from the rear of the building where the kitchen is located.

Finnegan’s General Manager Jeremy Frey said there were two employees and no customers present when the fire broke out. No injuries were reported.

An initial investigation by the fire department confirmed there was a significant grease fire described by restaurant employees. Kalispell Fire Chief Dave Dedman said the fire started at a deep fat fryer, but the exact cause is under investigation.

“A fire suppression system did go off; however, there was more grease than it could handle,” Dedman said.

Extensive fire and smoke damage was found throughout the business, but the building is structurally sound Dedman said. Damage costs have not yet been determined.

“Because of the toxic air quality we were told by the Kalispell fire chief to wait 24 hours until we can get in there,” Frey said.

The next step is to have an insurance adjuster assess the damage and ascertain whether it is possible to repair and remodel according to Frey.

“We should know here soon and the restaurant will be closed until further notice. Until I get in there and see, it may be a couple of months or a couple of weeks,” Frey said, wanting customers to know that, “As soon as we can get it open — we’ll get it open.”

Automatic aid was received from Evergreen Fire Department, Whitefish Fire Department, Kalispell Police Department, Flathead Electric and Northwestern Energy.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.