Kalispell apartment fire started by smoker

Hot ashes from a cigarette or pipe caused around $20,000 in fire damage to a westside apartment building on Sunday.

The fire started at about 4 p.m. when the Kalispell Fire Department was dispatched to the home on Fifth Avenue West. 

No one was injured and crews were able to put out the fire quickly. Much of the south side of the building was left with melted siding and black residue. Flames were contained to the exterior of the apartment building, Kalispell Fire Chief Dave Dedman said.

Mutual aid was limited because most fire resources were out at the county landfill battling a larger fire. The Kalispell Police Department and local utility companies helped fire crews at the scene.

Dedman urged smokers to make sure that cigarettes and pipes are completely out after smoking.