American Legion Post #129 burns down
<p>Deputy State Fire Marshal Pat Clinch assesses the scene at the American Legion after the post burned down early Wednesday morning. The investigation of the cause of the fire is ongoing. </p>
UPDATED Wednesday, July 31 at 11:30 a.m.
PARADISE- The American Legion Post #129 in Paradise was gutted by fire early Wednesday morning. Plains-Paradise Rural Fire Department and Plains City Fire Department responded to the blaze at about 1 a.m. after a call came in about flames shooting out of the roof of the building.
According to on-site incident commander Marlin Cooper, first responders found the fire was centered in the middle of the building and was gradually spreading toward the front and rear of the facility.
With only about two feet of clearance between the Legion and another structure on the western side and a propane tank behind the building, Cooper said firefighters were concerned about keeping the blaze contained.
“We were able to keep the fire from spreading,” said Cooper. “Flames were coming out around the middle of the building. We immediately put a hose between the two buildings and we also kept it from coming out the back.”
Cooper said firefighters were working to suppress the blaze and put out hotspots until around 6 a.m.
Sanders County Search and Rescue and Sheriff’s deputies assisted with traffic control and Plains Ambulance was also on the scene. No one was in the bar at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.
It was confirmed by authorities at the scene that the safe in the Legion was open. Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation was notified and sent an investigator to the scene Wednesday morning.
Deputy State Fire Marshal for Fire Prevention and Investigation Pat Clinch arrived at the site of the blaze around 10 a.m. Clinch interviewed first responders as well as an employee of the establishment. Clinch took written statements from witnesses before examining the scene.
Clinch proceeded to enter the building and began sifting through debris to determine the cause of the fire. Clinch spent about 20 minutes in the building during the initial stages of the investigation. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
According to their website, the State Fire Marshal’s Office provides investigative services to nearly 400 fire agencies, 56 county sheriff’s departments in addition to numerous city police departments around the state. The Marshal’s office is often tasked with the investigation of fires to determine the cause and origin of the blaze.
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PARADISE - In the early hours of Wednesday morning, The American Legion Post #129 caught on fire. The call came over the police scanner around 1:00 a.m.
We are currently working on the story and more updates will be posted as they are made available.