He added that the fire didn’t damage the campground and that they would still rent cabins during the 2016 Sturgis Rally.

Ballard is still undecided as to whether he will rebuild.

“I’m still digesting everything about rebuilding or what we’re gonna do or how we’re going to go forward you know this is just its like losing a family member and trying to replace that family member a week from now,” Ballard said.

Ballard added that the insurance coverage on the property was to protect the campgrounds and customers, not the cost of the bar or the property inside.

“All of the vintage signs, a lifetime of me collecting vintage motorcycles even before I came to Sturgis, vintage cars, vintage machines, concert sound system, lights, sound boards, all the bar equipment, basically all the entire atmosphere of this bar and everything it takes to operate and most of all the structures are going to fall on my shoulders,” Ballard said in a statement on the saloon’s Facebook page.

“The number one question I am receiving is: Will I rebuild the Full Throttle Saloon,” Ballard continued. “Today as I stand here, I can not truthfully answer that question. It is a monumental task for me to tackle. When I first moved this area, it was 17 years ago and I was 33 years old. I am now 50. I’m still devastated about everything that has happened. My goal here is to clean this place up and go back to TN to be with my wife and daughter and to take time to to figure out where we go from here.”

Monday Sept 14 Update: CAUSE OF $10M FIRE RULED ACCIDENTAL
Following an investigation conducted by a National Response Team from the Bureau, of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the cause of the fire was ruled to be accidental in nature, announced South Dakota State Fire Marshal Director Paul Merriman and ATF St. Paul Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Modzelewski.

SAC Modzelewski said, “The ATF National Response Team and our investigative partners have completed their assignments at the fire scene. Over the past five days investigators have taken countless photographs, inspected and examined artifacts recovered from the scene and conducted numerous interviews.The information developed was reviewed and analyzed to assist in determining the cause of the fire.”

In addition to agents from the ATF St. Paul Field Division, personnel from the South Dakota State Fire Marshal’s Office, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office and the Sturgis Police Department also took part in the investigation.

Before and after

FIRST STATEMENT FROM MICHAEL BALLARD FOLLOWING FIRE:
The official press release from Full Throttle Saloon states:

“Over the last two decades, The Full Throttle Saloon has been the epicenter of my life. Walking the grounds following this tragedy is simply devastating. We created a destination that resonated with working class America, and became over time a landmark for this great town which is Sturgis. Over the last several years, I’ve taken the success of the Full Throttle and made a significant investment in rebuilding my hometown of Trimble, Tennessee (where the Full Throttle S’loonshine distillery is based). Because of that large financial investment I am not in a position to just start rebuilding today. 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.”

Ballard’s best friend, and business partner Jesse James Dupree shares, “Michael created not just a bar but a destination point. People come to see Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, The Badlands, and the Full Throttle Saloon when visiting South Dakota. I hope everyone can stop for a moment, and appreciate not only the investment but also the heart and soul that Michael put into the Full Throttle Saloon. My brothers in Jackyl and I along with the hundreds of thousands of others that we call our Full Throttle family are starting the movement TODAY to bring the Throttle Back!”

Wed Sept 9 Update:
According to eyewitness accounts, the only remaining structures on the premises are the cabins and the bar administration office. The same account stated that Michael Ballard’s office appears to still be standing as well. Statements from fire department officials say dry wood used in structures and the storage of more than 500 gallons of grain alcohol on site contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.

Speculation on social media regarding the cause of the fire has been rampant, ranging from electrical issues all the way to arson. If you haven’t seen the video of the fire, here it is:

Around 2:30 p.m., a truck and several ATF agents were visible on the scene.

Michael Ballard was also on the scene.

The fire is completely extinguished, but the investigation is still in its early stages.

Tues Sept 8 Update:
At noon, hordes of people were gathering in a parking lot across the road trying to catch a glimpse of the smoldering remains. Local news broadcasters were also on the scene, filming the latest updates. By this time, the fire had been reduced to embers mostly located under the bridge on the west edge of the property. Here are some photos showing the aftermath of the fire at the Full Throttle Saloon.

The embers on the west end of the property near the former tattoo shop were still producing large clouds of smoke around noon on September 8.

Several fire trucks were still on scene 12 hours after the fire reportedly started.

Entry to the famous establishment is cut off to the general public as fire department officials finish extinguishing the fire and investigate the cause.

This is a sad day for many rally-goers. As stated in a Sturgis Rider News® article about Michael Ballard and his business being one of the most influential players in Sturgis Rally history, this saloon helped make the Sturgis Rally a household name by bringing it into the living rooms of millions.

Stay tuned to Sturgis Rider News for more updates on this story as they develop.