Fire destroys small Kalispell building

A late-night fire destroyed a small building in the 800 block of East Idaho Street Friday, according to the Kalispell Fire Department.

Firefighters responded at 11:24 p.m. to the fully engulfed building. Flames were seen on all sides of the structure, which sits on the edge of a property where an automobile dealership once operated.

Dousing the flames was difficult because the building was being used to store automobile parts and tires, according to the fire department. The fire was contained and did not spread.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire department estimates the blaze caused $20,000 in structural damage and loss of property.

The Kalispell Police Department, Evergreen Fire Department and Flathead Electric also assisted at the scene.

Kalispell police officers were called after a discussion of politics escalated to a fight near the intersection of Fourth Avenue East North and East Montana Street. A neighbor called after hearing loud obscenities and seeing one of the men laying on the ground.

A customer at a business near the intersection of U.S. 93 North and West Reserve Drive found a check for $1,425 on the counter and handed it over to an employee. It was turned over to police.

Officers responded to a small fire at Legends Stadium that was apparently set by a group of children. A witness saw three boys running from the scene. The fire damaged irrigation equipment.

Three men were told to leave after it was reported that they were scaring customers at a business on Third Avenue East North by asking for money.

A man threatened his brother with pepper spray during a property dispute on Mountain Drive.

Someone scratched a vehicle with a key in the parking lost of a business on U.S. 93 North.

A 29-year-old woman was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol at the intersection of Second Street East and First Avenue East.

Someone entered a vehicle and stole the owner’s belongings in the parking lot at Flathead High School.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Normal police logs from local law enforcement agencies were not available because of problems at the new 911 central dispatch system.)