Northside crews fight two fires
(Photo courtesy BRIAN BAILEY)A converted fire is engulfed in flames after catching fire Wednesday. The building, which had been converted from a barn into an entertainment space, was destroyed in the blaze, according to Northside Fire District officials.
PONDERAY — It’s been a busy couple of days for Northside Fire District crews as two separate fire led to the loss of two buildings.
In the first fire on Wednesday, Oct. 2, crews responded to a structure fire in the 600 block of Hidden Valley Road at about 10:54 a.m. By the time crews arrived on scene, the building — a converted barn being used as an entertainment space — was fully engulfed and had partially collapsed, said Northside Fire Capt. Steve Zukas.
The building, which was insured, was a total loss. Mutual aid on the fire was provided by Sam Owen Fire District and Selkirk Fire Department.
A second building in the district was also lost to fire, this one early in the morning Friday on Namaste path. The blaze, which was reported at 12:31 a.m., destroyed a two-bedroom home being remodeled.
The building was uninsured and is considered a total loss.
Sam Owen firefighters assisted on the Friday fire as well.
With winter fast approaching, Zukas said the fires offer a good reminder to check and clean chimneys, inspect breakers, ensure nothing is plugged into an extension cord that shouldn’t be and to ensure smoke detectors are working and have new batteries.