The restaurant at Junction 37 west of Watson Lake burned down last night, deputy fire marshal Wayne Smyth confirmed to the Star this morning.

Smyth said it's too early to say anything about the cause because the site was still too hot this morning to get in there.

Watson Lake's fire department responded and used equipment stationed at the Upper Liard volunteer fire department, he said.

Smyth said he will be heading down to Junction 37 later today or tomorrow morning to begin the official investigation.

The restaurant was being operated, but it's Smyth's understanding it was closed for the day when the call came in at about 10 p.m.

He said he doesn't know for sure, but it's his understanding the building was destroyed.

Junction 37 is located at the intersection of the Alaska Highway and Stewart-Cassiar Highway, approximately 21 kilometres west of Watson Lake.

Watson Lake Mayor Richard Durocher said this morning the Watson Lake fire chief and a crew of about nine volunteers responded.

"We have a reciprocal agreement with Upper Liard,” said Durocher, who also serves as the deputy fire chief but was not at last night's blaze.

"From what I understand, half the building was already engulfed when we got there, so they just made it a containment fire to prevent it from spreading.

"The garage cannot be any more than 10 or 15 feet away from that building.”

Durocher said he understands there were no injuries.

Junction 37 services include an operational gas bar and repair garage.

Smyth said he could not confirm this morning who owns the property nor whether the restaurant was insured.