Valley firefighters had a busy Memorial Day weekend.
Saturday, just before 2pm Lewiston firefighters rushed to 1412 11th Street for a structure fire. When they arrived, they found the building actively burning. After knocking down the flames, they used a backhoe to remove the tin roofing, allowing them to extinguish the remaining hot spots. The building is a total loss. No one was hurt in that blaze.
Sunday, just before 5pm, Lapwai Fire responded to a vehicle fire on 7th Street. The vehicle owner and a neighbor were able to put it out with extinguishers before firefighters arrived.
Just after midnight, yesterday (Monday), firefighters were dispatched to a house fire in the 800 block of First Street in Asotin. According to the Asotin County Fire District, when the first crews arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the garage of the home. Neighbors helped alert the sleeping family, allowing everyone to safely escape the home before firefighters arrived. Investigators believe the fire may have started from a heat lamp used in a chicken coop near the back of the garage.
Firefighters from Asotin County Fire, Clarkston Fire, Lewiston Fire, and Wheatland Fire all assisted City of Asotin Fire. They were able to contain the fire to the garage. No one reported injuries.
Then, at about 3:08 a.m., many of the same crews responded to another fire in the alley behind 205 14th Avenue in Lewiston. Firefighters arrived to find a detached garage fully involved, with flames spreading to nearby vehicles and brush. Downed power lines created additional hazards for crews until utility workers from Avista arrived on scene. Lewiston Fire estimates the damage at $50,000. No injuries were reported in the Lewiston fire. The cause remains under investigation.
Just before 1pm yesterday, Lapwai Fire with Tribal Fire and Nez Perce County Fire responded to a fire at Community Sweat on Garden Gulch Road. Photos on-scene show burning to grass and brush, but they report there was no damage to the building.
