Historic Mud Lake saloon burning
Published at | Updated at
Editor’s note: Story updated with comment from sheriff.
TERRETON — An longtime bar and grill is burning in Mud Lake.
Authorities say the fire started in the chimney of the Painted Pony Bar and Grill early Thursday morning before spreading to the rest of the building.
A museum adjacent to the saloon is also threatened, and historical artifacts are being taken from the building.
West Jefferson Fire District and Idaho National Laboratory Fire Department have responded to the fire. Jefferson County Sheriff deputies are also at the scene.
“A huge thanks to INL for their assistance and a incredible job by West Jefferson fire for containing this fire,” said said Sheriff Steve Anderson. “Also, what a great community we have here in Mud Lake. Within minutes we had dozens of people here with their trailers moving everything out of the Mud Lake Museum.”
The structure of the Painted Pony Bar and Grill was built in the 1930s and was originally operated under the name of The Oasis. It closed in 1995, but reopened as The Wayside in 2002. It closed again this year and reopened as the Painted Pony just last month.
We have a reporter on scene and will update as more information becomes available.