Missoula, MT— The Missoula Fire Department (MFD) responded to two separate structure fires on Monday, one at the Fairbridge Inn and another at the University of Montana’s Physical Plant.
The first fire was reported at 2:27 p.m. at the Fairbridge Inn, located at 3803 Brooks Street. Upon arrival, fire crews discovered a blaze in the maintenance room on the first floor, with smoke filling the building. Seven fire units and 15 firefighters quickly contained the fire. A search of the building led to the treatment of five individuals for smoke inhalation. While the damage was estimated at $20,000, MFD officials noted that $4 million worth of property was saved.
Just 45 minutes later, at 3:16 p.m., the fire department was dispatched to a second structure fire at the University of Montana’s Physical Plant. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke billowing from one of the facility’s boiler heating units. The fire was suppressed with the help of three engines, two ladder trucks, a command truck, and two Fire Chiefs. Engineers at the plant assisted by shutting off gas and electrical power to the affected area. The damage was estimated at $30,000, and $2 million in property was saved.
Both incidents are under investigation. MFD has assigned a Fire Prevention Investigator to determine the cause of the fires.
