No injuries were reported after a structure fire heavily damaged the View Café early Tuesday morning, according to Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS officials.
Selkirk Chief Ron Stocking said a passerby on U.S. Highway 95 saw smoke pouring from the eves of the restaurant at approximately 2:30 a.m. and called 911. Stocking said the call likely saved the business from complete destruction.
“It would have been a total loss,” said Stocking.
The Idaho State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, as is the business’s insurance provider. The fire caused an estimated $150,000 in damages. Preliminary findings suggest the cause of the fire was accidental, according to Stocking.
Had the fire burned for another 15-20 minutes without being reported, the whole building would have been destroyed.