Invetsigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives observe the remains of the Adobe Building on Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. The accidental fire started in the kitchen of the Bear Creek Saloon & Grill, a popular watering hole in Pagosa.
Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald file
Michael Branch, looks out towards the remains of the Adoble building on Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs that burned to the ground over the weekend from across the street where he operates a Certified Public Accountant firm. Photo by Shaun Stanley/ Durango Herald.
Randy Larsom, Fire Chief for the City of Pagosa Springs reflects on the firte that destroyed the Adobe Building on Lewis Street over the weekend. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Darcie Sutherland, a hair dresser at Ooh La La Spa & Salon, looks out towards the remains of the Adoble building on Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs that burned to the ground over the weekend.. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
Adobe Building business owners, Marcie Lewis, left and Beth O'Dowd right speak about the losses of both their business in the Adobe Building fire over the weekend. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
The remains of the Adobe building on Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs as seen Wednesday after being destroyed by fire over the weekend. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
Invetsigators with the ATF, right, observe the remains of the Adobe building on Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs Wednesday after being destroyed by fire over the weekend. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
The remains of the Adoble building on Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs as seen Wednesday after being destroyed by fire over the weekend. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
An investigator with the ATF examines the remains of the Adobe building on Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs Wednesday after being destroyed by fire over the weekend. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
The remains of the Adobe building on Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs as seen Wednesday after being destroyed by fire over the weekend. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
Fire fighters monitor the remains of the Adoble building on Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs while investigators work the scene Wednesday after being destroyed by fire over the weekend. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
As steam risies from the Pagosa Hot Springs Resort pools, a firefighter monitors the remains of the Adoble building on Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs Wednesday after being destroyed by fire over the weekend. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald.
Fire investigators say a blaze that destroyed a building that housed 16 businesses in Pagosa Springs was accidental in nature and started in the kitchen of the Bear Creek Saloon & Grill.
Authorities declined to release further information about the cause, saying an origin and cause report will be issued in a few weeks.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating. The agency’s definition of accidental means “those (fires) for which the proven cause does not involve an intentional human act to ignite or spread fire into an area where the fire should not be,” according to an email from Lisa Meiman, spokeswoman for the ATF in Denver.
The fire started about 1 a.m. Oct. 22 at the Adobe Building, 475 Lewis St.
In addition to the popular restaurant and bar, the building housed several other businesses, including a clinic for Axis Health System, an insurance agency and a district attorney’s office.
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