KALISPELL — Firefighters from across Kalispell responded to a fire at the Quality Inn on Wednesday afternoon afternoon that sent plumes of smoke across a nearby highway.
Kalispell Fire Chief Dan Pearce tells MTN News the fire was started by a plumber soldering inside the hotel.
The Kalispell Police Department arrived on the scene shortly after the call was received and evacuated everyone in the hotel and surrounding buildings.
The plumber that caused the fire was hired to do work at the hotel. The fire originally caught a wall on fire where it spread to the attic. Flames then engulfed the attic and the roof collapsed.
It was unsafe for firefighters to be in the building so they attacked the fire from the outside using ladder trucks.
The fire caused a power outage that affected 2,000 people in the West Kalispell and Kila areas. Stoplights in the area of the fire were out causing massive traffic jams.
At this time, No injuries have been reported and no other structures have been damaged.
(second report: 2:15 p.m. - April 10, 2024)
Kalispell Fire Chief Dan Pearce tells MTN News it's believed that a plumber soldering sparked Wednesday afternoon's fire at the Quality Inn in Kalispell.
Pearce says the flames spread to the attic space making it unsafe for firefighters to enter the building to fight the fire. A pair of ladder trucks have been spraying water over the top of the building where part of the roof has been collapsing.
The Kalispell Police Department evacuated the motel.
Flathead Electric Cooperative reports over 2,000 members in the west Kalispell and Kila areas are without power due to the blaze.
(first report 1:50 p.m. - April 10, 2024)
Crews are on the scene of a fire that broke out on Wednesday afternoon in Kalispell.
Smoke can be seen as firefighters battle the fire at the Quality Inn on U.S. Highway 2.
Witnesses tell MTN News the motel has been evacuated.
The traffic lights are out in the area which is causing traffic delays.
- Developing story. Check back for updates.
information from Kiana Wilson included in this report.
