‘World’s largest’ biker bar gutted by fire

The “world’s largest biker bar” and an adjoining distillery containing 500 gallons of grain alcohol have been destroyed by a fire that broke out in on Tuesday.

Located in South Dakota, US, next to the Sloonshine Distillery, the Full Throttle Saloon was featured on a reality TV show in 2009 and featured amenities including zip lines, musical stages and rental cabins.

Firefighters were called to the scene at approximately 12.30am but the main building was completely burned out less than three hours later, according to reports by the Rapid City Journal.

Shawn Barrow, Sturgis volunteer fire department assistant chief, said: “It was not fully engulfed at that time. We saw heavy smoke coming out of the eaves of soffits of the main building.

“We tried making access through the west side walk-in doors, but they were locked.

“We came around to the front-side garage doors on the north side of the building and cut a hole in it to make entry to the building.”

However, the heat and smoke forced the 45 firefighters to tackle the blaze from the outside in what was described as “heavy winds”.

While no injuries were reported, the cause of the fire is yet to be determined and it not clear whether the fire started at the distillery or the saloon.

In a statement on Facebook, Michael Ballard, founder of Full Throttle Saloon, said: “Over the last two decades, the Full Throttle Saloon has been the epicentre of my life.

“Walking the grounds following this tragedy is simply devastating. Right now I have to process what has happened and then figure out the future.

“As our plans come together, they will be shared, but as for today Angie and I are devastated.

“To everyone who made the Full Throttle become the special destination we all came to love, simply thank you.

“The support from the local community and those across the globe has been humbling.”