Willie's fire probe ongoing

COEUR d'ALENE - The early morning fire that totaled Willie's Restaurant and Bar on Saturday is still under investigation, authorities said, but arson does not appear to be the cause.

Investigators have not yet determined what started the blaze, Kootenai County Fire & Rescue Chief Ron Sampert said. Spokane-based Case Forensics is heading the investigation, with assistance from the fire department.

"We'll collaborate on information that we both have," Sampert said.

Case Forensics and Fire & Rescue are sharing photos and knowledge of what occurred, he said. Material from the building is being analyzed.

Sampert said he is unsure when the cause of the fire will be known; possibly soon.

"There's still a lot of stuff that's unknown to us," he said.

Firefighters arrived at Willie's (300 E. Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive) shortly after the blaze was reported at 5:15 a.m. Saturday. Crews mainly battled the flames from outside the building, Sampert said.

"The majority of the fire was in the attic or on the roof, so there was very little interior firefighting that went on," Sampert said.

Crews remained safe, he added, but the building was destroyed.