The Lewiston Fire Department has released information on the fire they fought yesterday (Weds). The duplex at 802 and 804 20th Street started at about 2:12pm. Firefighters initially went inside to fight the fire, but a release from the LFD says “Due to worsening fire conditions and concerns about structural integrity, interior operations were ceased…” It goes on to say they had to switch to a defensive strategy to contain the fire and keep it from spreading to neighboring homes.
One neighboring home did get some damage. The City of Lewiston Public Works Department helped the neighbors remove water from the basement that entered when water ran off the burning building.
The release says because of the building’s construction and a partial collapse, they brought in a large excavator to help remove some fire-impacted sections and to expose concealed spaces.
Crews from Clarkston Fire and Asotin County Fire District 1 came to assist. They were working for about 6 hours, much of which was in temperatures at or above 100 degrees. The estimated damage to the structe and the contents is about $400,000. There were no firefighter injuries reported, but one civilian was treated for smoke inhalation.
The cause is still under investigation.
