Arson suspected in Hudson's fire

COEUR d’ALENE — A fire at Hudson's Hamburgers early Tuesday is believed to be arson.

"Once the fire was extinguished, officers on scene discovered evidence of a burglary and arson inside the building," a Coeur d'Alene Police press release said.

Police said the fire started about 6:30 a.m. in the back of the building at 207 Sherman Ave.

Owner Steve Hudson, reviewing the damage Tuesday afternoon, said he believed it was an arson fire and said someone tried to break in to the ATM.

Hudson was overseeing an electrician working on getting electricity back on line and hoped to reopen Wednesday.

Sherman Avenue was closed to traffic for about an hour as firefighters doused the blaze and then set up fans to air out Hudson’s Hamburgers.

While structural damage was limited to the back supply room area, there was smoke damage throughout the famous eatery that’s been part of Coeur d’Alene’s downtown for more than a century.

The popular burger spot was closed Tuesday.

A little girl walking past Hudson’s Hamburgers early Tuesday afternoon stopped, read a sign on the front door, then turned to her father and said, “What does that mean?”

The father eyed the sign and said, “I guess they had a fire.”

Here’s what someone wrote in red: “Sorry we are closed. Someone tried to burn down the business.”

An investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Coeur d’Alene Police Department at (208) 769-2296 or policetips@cdaid.org