Wolf Lodge Inn Restaurant Fire | Update 1

Photo Credit: KCF&R

Published Monday, September 2nd, 2130 hours PT

Incident Summary

KOOTENAI COUNTY, ID — A tragedy struck today and the community is in disbelief as their beloved and most popular iconic restaurant is now gone from a fire that ripped through the commercial structure known as the Wolf Lodge Inn Steakhouse.

Initial Calls

The unfortunate event starts like this. According to Fire Officials, a 9-1-1 caller reported to the Communications Center that a worker stated they saw the fire start and began trying to put the fire out from the roof before the fire department arrived on the scene.

1st Alarm Response

The Kootenai County Fire & Rescue units were dispatched at 1208 hours PT of a possible attic fire at the Wolf Lodge Inn Restaurant, east of Coeur d’Alene in Idaho. The first engine around 1215 hours and reported to Fire Command of a working fire from the rear and the roof of the building.

2nd Alarm Response

Fire Command then requested through Dispatch for a second alarm response. This was due to a fast-moving and dangerous fire, as well as, the need for a water supply due to no fire hydrants in the area. Communications Center would then dispatch much-needed water tenders to fill the need as Water Supply Group.

Fire Strategy Changes

Due to poor and unsafe conditions for firefighters, Fire Command told all crews to exit the building to which they began defensive fire strategy.

Wildfire Starts Nearby

Some of the embers were carried by the wind and started a nearby wildfire and the Idaho Department of Lands resources were called to respond and put out that fire.

3rd and 4th Alarm Responses

By the time, the fire had been ultimately knocked down, Fire Command had three and fourth alarm resources on the fire ground.

Photo Credit: KCF&R

Incident Cooperators

Incident Cooperators for this structure fire include the following agencies:

  • CDA FD
  • Northern Lakes Fire District
  • East Side Fire District
  • Timberlake Fire District
  • Mica Kidd Island Fire District
  • Worley Fire District
  • Hause Lake Fire District
  • Spirit Lake Fire District
  • Shoshone Fire Districts 1 and 2
  • Spokane Valley Fire Department
  • IDL
  • Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office
  • ATF
  • Kootenai County Emergency Management Agency
  • ID State Police
  • ID State Fire Marshal’s Office

Resources

There were many personnel and equipment on the fire ground including the following:

  • 80 total firefighters from 11 Fire Agencies
  • 10 Engines
  • 2 Ladder trucks
  • 11 tenders
  • 3 brush trucks
  • 4 ambulances
  • 8 Chief Officers

A Family Gathering Place

Today’s story is not only about a structure fire but also the many memories created in and outside of this favorite restaurant since the 1970s, but the fact that has brought this business together – are the many in this community, people call family.

Cause

The “Official” cause of the fire is unknown but Fire Officials are releasing a suspected cause as accidental. Tomorrow morning, which is Tuesday, September 3rd, three agencies will work together to determine hopefully the exact cause. This will include the Kootenai County Fire & Rescue, Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office, and ATF.

We will provide another update once new information comes to light. Thank you for reading our post!

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