Fire destroys Noxon businesses

by Annie Wooden

The town of Noxon suffered a devastating loss on Tuesday when a fire destroyed several businesses.

Fire crews responded to an early-morning fire Tuesday in the 700 block of Noxon Avenue that destroyed several buildings. The fire, which officials said Tuesday appears to have started at the Angry Beaver General Store, also destroyed Toby's Tavern and the Noxon Mercantile and Cafe.

Along with the Noxon Fire Department, Heron Fire, and Trout Creek Rural Fire responded to the blaze,

Sheriff Shawn Fielders said that the call came in to the Sanders County Sheriff's Office at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday. He also stated that no injuries were reported in the fire, and the cause has not yet been determined.

Sheriff Fielders said the investigation into the fire is ongoing and encouraged people to stay away from the area. "Let the fire personnel do their cleanup and the investigators do their business. The fewer people in the area the better," he said Tuesday afternoon.

Toby's Tavern has been a staple in Noxon for more than 50 years, opening in 1969. The Angry Beaver General Store, formerly the Main Street General Store, was opened in 2021 and most recently under new ownership in January 2023.

Amy and Chris Klaschik opened the Noxon Mercantile and Cafe in 2019. The building was more than 100 years old and was first opened by Henry Larson as a general store. The building had been home to several different bars and restaurants before the Klaschiks opened their business.

Sheriff Fielders commented that social media posts had questioned the cause of the fire and the timeliness because the Hereford Bar and Grill in Noxon burned earlier this year. He encouraged residents to not get caught up in the rumor mill and to let the investigators do their jobs in both situations.