Fire consumes workshop near Creston

A fire in a Creston-area workshop Thursday morning engulfed several vehicles, but nobody was injured on the residential property.

Fire crews responded to Creston Hatchery Road shortly after 8 a.m. By that time, the fire had already taken over the building, Creston Fire Chief Gary Mahugh said.

“Because the shop was essentially fully involved and it had a really good start, there was a significant dollar loss in terms of equipment, as well as the structure itself,” he said.

Parked next to the shop were two tractors, a pickup truck and a combine that were lost in the flames. Mahugh said the residents weren’t home when the fire started.

There were reports of multiple small explosions at the scene. Mahugh said that they could have been tires, paint cans or other any other pressurized item=. 

Crews were able to control the fire within 45 minutes, and they spent the rest of the morning assessing the scene. The property was turned back over to the owner shortly after 11 a.m.

Mahugh said the cause of the fire isn’t known yet, but it appears to be accidental. The building was wired for electricity.

The workshop sat among two homes and at least four other buildings. Firefighters had to act fast to save the others from catching fire.

“None of those were affected,” Mahugh said. “We were able to keep the fire from spreading to those, though it was a matter of minutes before they could have spread.”

The Bigfork Fire Department and Evergreen Fire Rescue assisted on scene with a response of about 22 firefighters.