SHELLY - Mystery surrounds an abandoned strip club that went up in flames Thursday in the small Red River Valley town of Shelly.
Officials say the fire at the former Bear’s Den looks suspicious, but the fire is still under investigation.
The Bear's Den strip club has been empty for about two years. Law enforcement have confirmed that the electricity to the building had been turned off.
Firefighters were called shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday.
“I could see smoke and flames coming up through the roof and the vents and out the soffit. So we knew it was a pretty good fire in there,” Shelly resident Jim Martine said.
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Even when the business was in full swing, neighbors in Shelly, population less than 200, say there weren't many issues.
“I don't think they had much trouble there as far as any cops or anything having to come. Of course you're going to have the occasional jealous wife, but that's the way it goes,” Martine said.
Law enforcement officials say it could months to determine the fire’s cause or any wrongdoing.
The owners of the building could not be reach for comment.
