Woods Bay Grill smoulders

Julie Carlson thought she saw just a little bit of smoke coming from the Woods Bay Grill when she pulled up for work Oct. 12. When she got out of the car, she was certain — something was on fire.

It turns out the southeast corner of the building had been smouldering for days, but warmer weather that day fed the fire, owner Margaret Davis said.

The restaurant was evacuated and the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene. Firefighters were able to put out the fire, which only damaged a corner of the building. The fire appears to have been caused by the wiring of an old sign on that corner of the building, Davis said.

“It was so lucky it went the way it went,” Davis said.

The restaurant was closed the next day while an electrician came in to look at the wiring. Since then, the grill has been back open for business.