This morning Tuesday September 8, the Sturgis Throttle Saloon is a burned out shell. Around midnight the main building was on fire and then extended to the northwest corner where is located the Sloonshine Distillery where 500 gallon of grain alcohol were kept.
Because there are no fire hydrants or any water supply on the Full Throttle Saloon, water had to be trucked in portable reservoirs, making fighting the fire more difficult. Fire crews from Sturgis, Piedmont, Whitewood, Fort Meade and Vale were did fight the blaze and this morning are observing the smoldering rubble. The Full Throttle Saloon is owned by Michael Ballard and has been in the past the topic of a reality television show on True-TV. A tv crew was again on location during the 75th rally to film a new episode. The cause of the fire is under investigation. (photos @ Sturgis firefighter Jeff Potter)
Time to retire Michael Ballard…if the insurance company gives you some good money.
Wow. But anyway, it was a crappy place.
Jewish lightning?
This is the kind of thing that happens when a town builds and builds and builds so local merchants can gouge the “Visitors” for a couple weeks every year without thinking about safety and improving the infra-structure with such silly things as fire hydrants. When a place makes something like 90% of it’s gross yearly income in a couple weeks not being prepared for a major emergency is inexcusable. Maybe some of that traffic summons money could go to a fire protection system? AND buildings like that with no fire sprinkler system?
he is the white guy with dread locks , never understood the white guy rasta look .
I have the feeling that it’s just the beginning of a story.
Jewish Lightning? Really RK?
the number one cause of business fires….”the insurance policy rubbing up against the lease/mortgage document caused too much friction….”
I’ve never been gouged, nor has anyone who goes to a place ,
a: Prepared, or
b: Prepared to spend
Rodent, are you an official investigator on the scene? Or you just want to sound cute?
Hard to believe any kind of codes would allow storage of 500 gallons of grain alcohol without a suppression system or that any kind of insurance coverage would cover those circumstances regardless of the source of ignition.
Just thank the stars that it happened 3-4 weeks after the rally and that hopefully no one was hurt
the Leprechaun is pissed… and its the new plot of a horror movie.
good Day!
Should be an interesting fire investigation…
Brad Kelley, are you a fire bug?
Who owned all the old motorcycles that were destroyed? Glad to hear no injuries. Can’t say it was my kind of place though.
Every thing changes, nothing stays the same.
That’s life…. see it, believe it, live it.
-nicker-
well I guess you can tell bikers don’t do facebook best wishes Michael Ballard youcan make it better
I wouldn’t think there was anything but liability insurance on a business like that, who would sell a policy to cover an unused structure, better yet who would pay what it would cost? No winners here.
Glad no one was hurt. He should have sold when he had the opportunity. Hind sight 20-20..
People don’t end up at places like the Full Throttle by accident. Dam shame…can only imagine the memories created there. Some of my best sightseeing and greatest laughs weren’t fee.
Eighteen Bravo is absolutely right !
if you went there, you had to go with the proper mind-set.
It is what it is or was ….
I had a good time there in 2008 & 2011, the last time I was in Sturgis.
I’ve done a couple video interviews/articles with Jesse
& several with Mike & Angie when they were out on the road.
Good people, willing to take some time to talk with a “small timer” like me & my crew.
I really hope this is an accident & not like some are implying
& doesn’t turn out badly for them