BOZEMAN – More details are being released about an early Thursday morning fire that consumed an apartment complex under construction on Bozeman’s Babcock Ave.
Crews are still on the scene of the fire at the four-story building, known as SOBO Lofts, located between 7th and 8th avenues, across the street from the Haufbrau and Molly Brown bars. The site was previously occupied by a Pizza Hut.
According to a press release from the City of Bozeman, at this point, no injuries have been sustained by any emergency responders or civilians. The building is still on fire and emergency responders are actively working to extinguish it.
Area roads are closed: 7th Street is closed from Main Street to Olive Street. Babcock Street is closed from 6th avenue to 8th avenue. Members of the public are asked to stay away for their own safety as well as the safety of those responding. Due to the nature of the fire, work will continue throughout the day. Updates will be sent out as things change.
According to city officials, a 911 call was received at 12:19 a.m. reporting the fire.
Crews were dispatched at 12:21 a.m. and arrived at the scene within minutes. The first emergency responder on the scene was a Bozeman Police Officer who reported a fire coming from the exterior of the building.
The first Bozeman Fire Department unit that arrived on scene and due to a large amount of fire the crew made the decision not to enter the building and chose to fight the fire from the exterior of the building. Because the building was determined to be under construction, to the best of the knowledge of the fire department the building was unoccupied.
Fire departments immediately called to the scene included the Bozeman Fire Department, the Hyalite Fire Department, the Central Valley Fire Department and the Ft. Ellis Fire Department. Additional resources were requested and received from the Bridger Canyon Fire Department, the Gallatin Gateway Fire Department, and theManhattan Fire Department.
In addition to fire response, additional support was provided by the Bozeman Police Department, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, the Montana State University Police Department, the Bozeman Public Works Department and Northwestern Energy. Local businesses also assisted first responders by opening their doors to provide coffee and refreshments.
Fire Department crews will remain on scene throughout the day continuing to extinguish hot spots. Law Enforcement will also remain in the area and some residential streets will be closed. Members of the public can expect to see smoke but should not be alarmed.
The Bozeman police and fire departments will be investigating the fire. Officials said at this point there are no determinations that can be made about the cause of the blaze.
