MISSOULA, MT – The Missoula Fire Department responded quickly to two separate structure fires on Monday, January 13.
The first incident occurred at 2:27 p.m. at the Fairbridge Inn, located at 3803 Brooks Street. Firefighters discovered a fire in a maintenance room on the first floor, with smoke spreading throughout the building. They quickly contained the fire and began looking for people inside. Five individuals were treated for smoke inhalation, but no fatalities or other injuries were reported.
The Fairbridge Inn fire involved 15 firefighters and seven units. Property damage was estimated at $20,000, while $4,000,000 worth of property was saved.
Shortly after, at 3:16 p.m., the department was dispatched to a second fire at the University of Montana Physical Plant, located at 110 Campus Drive. A large fire was reported in one of two boiler heating units, with heavy smoke billowing from the building. Crews, including three engines, two ladder trucks, a command truck, and two Fire Chiefs, managed to suppress the fire using two hose lines. No injuries were reported in this incident.
The University of Montana fire involved 20 firefighters initially, with an additional 10 assisting later. Property damage was estimated at $30,000, with $2,000,000 worth of property saved.
Both fires remain under investigation, and a Fire Prevention Investigator has been assigned to each case. The Missoula Fire Department expressed gratitude to the Missoula Emergency Services Inc., the City of Missoula Police Department, the University of Montana Police Department, and the engineers at the Physical Plant for their assistance.
