Fir Valley Inn razed by fire
Officials suspect electrical malfunction
A fire of “undetermined” origin destroyed the Fir Valley Inn, 23788 Highway 211, taking more than 30 years of memories and one family’s livelihood with it.
“The building is worth one amount, and the stuff inside is worth a whole lot more,” owner Jan Stewart said.
At around 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, a patron at the bar smelled smoke. The bartender went to the rear of the building and saw flames. The Stewarts, who live in a home behind the building, immediately ran to see what was going on.
All patrons and the bartender were safely evacuated as fire engines from Estacada, Colton, Molalla and Clackamas County responded to the emergency call.
“The more important thing is that no one was hurt,” Stewart said.
Fire officials have yet to determine how the fire started, but they suspect it was an electrical malfunction. So far, they’ve ruled out only arson.
The Fir Valley Inn, located between Estacada and Colton, was rebuilt in 1972 after a fire engulfed the previous building that once sat just across the parking lot. The woman who bought the business in 1972 didn’t like the previous title and exchanged the “Tavern” in Fir Valley Tavern to “Inn.”
Stewart’s family bought the restaurant and bar in 2004, when Stewart was headed into retirement. Since he wasn’t the type to enjoy much leisure, he said, running a successful restaurant and bar was a challenge right up his alley.
Stewart said he’s in the process of having insurance adjusters come out to assess the damage, and no formal plans have been made to rebuild the Inn. Even if his insurance claims end up in order, he said, he’s still not sure if his heart will be into rebuilding the Inn after such a devastating loss.
“There’s a lot in there that’s my life,” Stewart said.