Explosion, fire caused by child playing with lighter

A child playing with a lighter caused an explosion and fire in a large shed on Bernard Road in Evergreen Monday evening, according to Evergreen Fire Rescue.

No injuries were reported. Evergreen Fire Rescue responded to the structure fire at 6:58 p.m.

Evergreen Fire Chief Craig Williams said the fire started and was contained in a very large shed containing a couple of all-terrain vehicles, a boat, tires and propane tanks, which exploded and is likely what people heard when they called in the fire, reporting they heard many “little explosions” and saw a lot of black smoke.

“It was fully engulfed by the time we arrived,” Williams said, which was about five minutes from the time firefighters were dispatched.

He said the shed was in close proximity to power lines, which crews were able to keep from being damaged.

Williams estimates the contents destroyed in the fire to be valued at about $2,500. He didn’t immediately have a cost estimate for the damaged structure.

Williams issued a reminder to drivers to yield to emergency vehicles and, if possible, pull over.

“This is becoming more problematic for us when we’re trying to respond and seconds count,” Williams said.

Kalispell Fire Department also responded.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.