Abandoned building burns

The incineration of an abandoned North Hill Road farm house west of Kalispell Tuesday morning is being investigated because of the possibility that it may have been deliberately burned down, according to Smith Valley Fire Chief DC Haas. Haas said there were conflicting stories about the owner burning debris and embers igniting the house — and whether the owner had a permit to burn the structure. According to Haas, the owner apparently called the fire department and left a message about his planned general burning, but that message was not received before the fire. The fire attracted a response from not only Smith Valley but also West Valley, Kalispell and South Kalispell fire departments as well as West Flathead EMS. Haas said he was most concerned about the dangers posed to multiple emergency responders rushing to get to the fire.