MONTPELIER — The Butch Cassidy Restaurant and Saloon has been a central social fixture during much of the past three decades in Montpelier.

    On Wednesday, the daily eatery and nightly hot spot appeared to be a total loss after it was gutted by a devastating fire, said Assistant Fire Chief Rick Merritt of the Montpelier Fire Department.

    Merritt said rolling up on the scene just after 10 a.m. that he could see flames and smoke shooting up through the roof.

    “It was right over the kitchen, so I assume that’s where it started,” he said. “Knowing the history of that building, I figured we were up against it.”

    No cause of the blaze was determined Wednesday and a state investigator is expected on the scene today. Merritt’s premonition of a difficult fight proved to be on the mark.

     “We kind of had it knocked down early, but it never really went down,” he said. “This place has a big, long attic.”

    Merritt estimates the original structure that stood at 240 N. Fourth St. in Montpelier, the location of Butch Cassidy’s, was built in the 1960s or earlier. Montpelier Mayor Reed Peterson believes it was in the early 1980s when the restaurant’s then owner made some additions to the building.

    Merritt said those additions include adjacent structures, and eventually, an entirely new top that encompassed the whole structure, adding significant attic space and some offices. It was even built over the original building’s old roof.

    He described the space within the roof addition as an odd design that zig-zagged, making it difficult for firefighters.

    “It presented a problem for us, trying to get through the ceiling and roofs,” Merritt said.

    At 7:30 p.m., nearly 10 hours after the fire was first reported, firefighters remained on the scene, concerned about some hot spots still smoldering.

    Merritt estimates some 30 firefighters from Montpelier and Bear Lake County fire departments fought the blaze. Several Montpelier firefighters remained on the scene until about 10 p.m.

    “It’s pretty well out, but as long as there is steam or smoke, we will keep someone out here,” Merritt said.

    A few minutes after his firefighters arrived on the scene, as they were attempting to battle the blaze inside, part of the roof began to collapse. At this point, Merritt said firefighters were pulled back and focused on dousing the fire, but also concerned themselves with keeping it from spreading to adjacent locations, including a motel and a convenience store.

    “We were up against it and I think we did a pretty good job,” Merritt said. “No one got hurt and no other buildings were affected.”

    Mayor Peterson said Butch Cassidy’s is a big part of the Montpelier community and the loss is great.

    “A restaurant in that location has been an institution for 40 or 50 years,” he said.

    He is hopeful the restaurant’s owner, who Peterson said he will reach out to today, has both the means and the will to rebuild. As mayor, he not only understands the significant social spot lost to his town, but the 20 to 25 jobs he estimates went with it.

    “That’s a big impact on us,” he said.